J&K cloudburst: 60 fatalities, 69 unaccounted for, over 100 injured; PM Modi pledges full support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, communicated with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, offering them comprehensive assistance following a cloudburst in Kishtwar district that has resulted in at least 60 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to officials.
A significant flash flood, caused by the cloudburst, hit the isolated mountain village of Chisoti in Kishtwar on Thursday. As of Friday, authorities have identified 30 of the bodies that have been recovered, officials reported.
Modi engaged in discussions with Abdullah and Sinha to assess the situation.
In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister stated, “I spoke with Jammu and Kashmir LG, Shri Manoj Sinha Ji and CM Shri Omar Abdullah Ji regarding the circumstances following the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar.”
“Authorities are actively working on the ground to support those impacted,” he added.
Earlier, during an Independence Day event at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Abdullah confirmed that at least 60 individuals have lost their lives and more than 100 have sustained injuries in this unfortunate event.
Among the deceased were two personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
To help identify the victims, authorities circulated their photographs via a WhatsApp group to the affected families, leading to the identification of 30 individuals.
So far, over 160 people have been rescued, with the condition of 38 of them reported as critical.
Officials indicated that the death toll may rise as more individuals are thought to be trapped.
The Union Territory administration has established a control room-cum-help desk in Paddar, located approximately 15 km from Chosoti, to assist residents and pilgrims.
Since the disaster occurred, the help desk has received numerous distress calls, with officials noting that efforts are underway to locate 69 missing individuals.
