Rescue teams, high-tech vehicles, sniffer dogs working across multiple locations
Army’s temporary bridge reopens routes; LG Sinha deputes Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Sujit Kumar, 7 other senior officers in phases to supervise relief, rescue operations
Kishtwar: Rescue operations at cloudburst hit Chisoti village in Kishtwar district continued for fifth running day on Monday.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that more than 60 persons have died and 70 are reported missing.
“Rescue teams are working across multiple sites to search for survivors and recover bodies. Large-scale rescue operations are on near the cloudburst site,” they added.
It may be recalled that the cloudburst wreaked havoc in the Chashoti area, a key location on the route of the annual Machail Mata Yatra on August 14. The pilgrimage had commenced on July 25 draws a large number of devotees to the Chandi Mata temple in Machail, located in the Paddar Valley.
According to the officials special all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have been deployed to access locations where people are believed to be trapped under debris. “The terrain in the area is difficult to navigate, and the ATVs are being used to carry out operations in spots that cannot be reached by regular rescue equipment,” they said.
Rescue personnel, the officials said, are using earth movers and sniffer dogs to search through the rubble. “Teams are focusing their efforts near a langar site, which saw significant impact. The ongoing work includes removing debris and searching for bodies and survivors,” he added.
Additional Director General of CISF, Sudhir Kumar, visited Chisoti village to review the operations. He acknowledged the efforts of his personnel involved in the rescue and confirmed that three CISF members lost their lives in the disaster, while one remains missing.
The Indian Army has constructed a temporary bridge over Chisoti Nallah to restore local connectivity. The cloudburst caused a sudden surge in water, damaging the previous crossing and cutting off movement in the region. Army engineering teams worked to build the bridge after the original route was washed away.
Officials stated that the temporary bridge will allow the movement of people and help the delivery of essential supplies. The construction of the bridge has re-established a route between affected villages and nearby areas.
Efforts are on to restore essential services in the area. Relief materials and support are being sent to those affected by the disaster. Local and central authorities are coordinating to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, the Government has deputed senior officers to supervise ongoing relief and rescue operations in Chisoti.
According to the government directive, the first team of officers will be deputed on August 19 and 20, comprising Chandraker Bharti, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, and Uttam Chand, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Police Operations & Services, Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir.
The second team, scheduled for August 21 and 22, includes Anil Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Public Works (R&B) Department, and Sujit Kumar, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Security, Jammu and Kashmir.
For August 23 and 24, Shaleen Kabra, IAS, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department, along with M. Suleman Choudhary, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Jammu and Kashmir, will oversee the relief activities.
The fourth and final team, to be deputed on August 25 and 26, will consist of Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Science & Technology Department, and Vivek Gupta, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Railways, Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)
