Kishtwar cloudburst toll rises to 60, rescue ops on

Indian Army engages in rescue ops in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar. Pic/PTI

Braving intermittent rains, rescuers intensified their search for survivors in a cloudburst-hit village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Friday, even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah put the death toll in the tragic incident at 60, with an unspecified number of people still trapped.

Disaster struck Chisoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, around 12.25 pm on Thursday, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Rescuers pulled out 46 bodies, including those of two CISF personnel, on Thursday. In addition, 167 people have been rescued in an injured condition, while 69 others were reported missing by their relatives.

The rescue-and-relief operation resumed with the first light of the day despite rain, with the rescuers comprising police, Army, NDRF, SDRF personnel and local volunteers sifting through the rubble to find the survivors.

Addressing an Independence Day function at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium, Abdullah said at least 60 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in the tragic incident.

According to officials, 30 bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their next of kin for the last rites.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, along with IGP, Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, visited the scene to review the rescue-and-relief operation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with CM Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday on the tragedy in the wake of the cloudburst.

He took stock of the situation and promised all help. "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," PM Modi said in a post on X.

"Authorities are working on the ground to assist those affected," he added.

167
Number of people rescued in an injured condition

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