New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured full central assistance to all those affected after a massive cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the Chashoti area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.
The cloudburst struck Chashoti village in Kishtwar district, causing flash floods and extensive damage, with several people feared missing. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that rescue operations are underway.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The situation is being monitored closely. Rescue and relief operations are underway. Every possible assistance will be provided to those in need,” PM Modi said.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, assuring full central assistance. He said National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have already been dispatched to the site.
“Spoke with the LG and Chief Minister of J&K on the cloudburst in Kishtwar district. The local administration is conducting relief and rescue operations. NDRF teams have promptly been rushed to the site. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir through every situation. Assured of all possible assistance to the people in need,” Shah posted on X.
Local administration teams are on the ground, evacuating residents, providing medical aid, and working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Authorities are assessing damage and prioritizing the safety of people in vulnerable zones.
According to Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma, rescue operations are still underway. Two NDRF teams, comprising nearly 180 personnel, have been deployed from the force’s Udhampur base with advanced search-and-rescue gear, following instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are working in close coordination with local administration and state disaster management teams to evacuate stranded residents, provide medical aid, and ensure the supply of essential relief materials.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation in the Chashoti area of Kishtwar as “grim.” The calamity occurred between 12 noon and 1 p.m. in the Chashoti area, the last motorable point en route to the revered Machail Mata temple, at a time when a large crowd of pilgrims had assembled for the annual Machail Mata Yatra. The sudden surge of water swept through parts of the village, destroying property and severing road links to remote areas. (ANI)
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