Kishtwar, August 17: The search for those missing in the cloudburst-hit Chisoti village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district entered its fourth day on Sunday, with rescuers focusing on clearing a major impact spot, officials said.
The disaster struck on August 14, killing 60 people, leaving 80 missing, and injuring 167 others. Flash floods flattened a makeshift market, a langar site for the Machail Mata yatra, damaged 16 houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, and swept away more than a dozen vehicles.
Rescuers blasted giant boulders blocking access to the worst-hit langar site on Saturday evening, allowing operations to proceed.
A joint team of police, Army, NDRF, SDRF, BRO, civil administration, and local volunteers is carrying out round-the-clock rescue efforts. So far, 50 bodies have been identified and handed over to families after legal formalities.
Meanwhile, Army engineers have started constructing a 17-metre Bailey bridge to restore connectivity to Chisoti and the shrine. “The bridge will be completed by Sunday evening,” said Maj Gen A P S Bal, GOC of the Army’s Delta Force, adding that the Army responded within 45 minutes of the disaster.
He said troops are not only engaged in rescue operations but are also providing medicine, food, and essential supplies to survivors.
The Machail Mata yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to conclude on September 5, remains suspended for the fourth day.
Rescue teams are deploying earth-movers, heavy machinery, and NDRF dog squads to trace those still missing as efforts intensify.
