Explosives Used to Clear Boulders in Kishtwar’s Cloudburst-Hit Village, Rescue Efforts Intensified
Kishtwar/Jammu, Aug 16: Rescuers in Jammu and Kashmir’s disaster-hit Chisoti village used explosives to blast massive boulders blocking relief operations on Saturday, the third day of rescue efforts after a deadly cloudburst and flash floods.
Officials confirmed that 60 people, including security personnel, have died while 82 remain missing. Around 167 villagers have been rescued so far, several with critical injuries.
To accelerate the mission, the Army deployed additional troops, while civil authorities pressed a dozen earth-movers and NDRF teams with specialized equipment and dog squads into service.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Chisoti on Saturday morning, announcing ex-gratia relief of up to ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and financial aid for the injured and those whose homes were damaged. He assured long-term rehabilitation support.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, along with senior police and CISF officials, reviewed the operations late Friday night. Top Army and civil administration officers are camping at the site to supervise the mission.
The calamity struck Chisoti—last motorable point on the route to the Machail Mata shrine—on August 14, flattening a makeshift market, langar site, a security outpost, houses, temples, water mills, and a 30-metre bridge. The annual Machail Mata yatra remains suspended for the third straight day.
Locals welcomed the chief minister’s direct outreach, though some expressed disappointment with the Union minister’s brief visit. Villagers have demanded compensation, relocation to safer areas, and jobs for the kin of those killed.
