The death toll in the massive cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar increased to 60 on Friday. A major rescue operation involving over 300 personnel from armed forces, NDRF and SDRF is underway in the region to save hundreds still reported missing.
Rescue efforts intensified on Friday, and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel constructed a makeshift bridge at Chashoti in Kishtwar to expedite the rescue efforts.
Chisoti, a base camp for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, was bustling with pilgrims when the disaster struck between 12noon and 1pm on Thursday. The cloudburst led to flash floods, sending a torrent of water and debris down the route of the Shree Machail Mata Yatra.
According to officials, at least 16 residential houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills and a 30-metre span bridge, besides more than a dozen vehicles, were damaged in the flash floods in Chisoti and downstream. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended the yatra for the second day.
During his Independence Day address, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed 60 people have died and over 100 persons suffered injuries in the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and assured all assistance for the relief efforts.
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"Spoke to Jammu and Kashmir LG, Shri Manoj Sinha Ji and CM Shri Omar Abdullah Ji regarding the situation in the wake of the cloudburst and flooding in Kishtwar. Authorities are working on the ground to assist those affected, Modi tweeted. Chief Minister Abdullah is likely to visit Kishtwar on Saturday.
According to officials, 160 people have been rescued so far, and the health condition of 38 people is said to be serious.
The Union Territory administration has set up a control room-cum-help desk in Paddar, about 15 km from Chositi, to assist people and pilgrims. The numbers provided are -- 9858223125, 6006701934, 9797504078, 8492886895, 8493801381, and 7006463710.
