Priority to Trace the Missing, Provide Relief with Urgency: Union Minister Jitendra Singh at Cloudburst-Hit Chisoti, Kishtwar
CHISOTI (J&K), August 16: Union Minister Jitendra Singh, accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, visited the cloudburst-devastated Chisoti village in Kishtwar late Friday night and took stock of ongoing rescue and relief operations. Speaking on the ground amid the wreckage, Singh said the foremost priority remains tracing those still missing and feared trapped under debris.
Calling the tragedy “unprecedented in scale” for the region, he lauded the tireless efforts of rescuers from the NDRF, SDRF, the Indian Army, the Air Force and J&K Police, who are working despite hostile weather, difficult terrain and restricted helicopter access. “It is a calamity where nature’s fury has met nature’s constraints. Helicopters could not land due to weather, yet all recovery equipment was moved here overnight,” Singh remarked, adding that BRO teams are also assisting in clearing debris with specialized machinery.
The Union Minister detailed that the disaster claimed at least 60 lives, injured over 100, and caused extensive destruction, flattening a makeshift pilgrimage market, community kitchens, security outpost, three temples, several homes, bridges, water mills and vehicles. He assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already convened high-level meetings, reviewed briefings and spoken with both the state and UT leadership, underlining the central government’s urgency in providing relief.
On the issue of assistance, Singh said that while conditions may not allow VVIP visits immediately, all required measures including airlifting critically injured patients for specialized treatment have been offered. “The Modi government has placed this tragedy on top priority, I personally came here directly after Independence Day events, which reflects the urgency attached to this disaster,” he noted.
He also reflected on Chisoti’s transformation in the past decade with connectivity, electricity and mobile coverage boosting pilgrimage to the Machail Mata shrine, only to see infrastructure and livelihood reduced to rubble in seconds. Despite the grim reality, Singh assured that every effort will be made to restore normalcy, rehabilitate the affected families, and provide immediate relief.
“This is a moment that tests our resilience as a society. The government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Chisoti and Kishtwar. Our priority is clear: save every possible life, trace the missing, and bring comfort to the grieving families,” Singh concluded.
