By adbnu564 
Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir: Rescue and relief operations are in full swing in Kishtwar’s Chishoti village after a devastating cloudburst left at least 65 people dead and scores missing. Despite relentless efforts by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), army, police, and local volunteers, no new bodies were recovered on Friday. Officials confirmed that 49 bodies have been found so far, while others succumbed on the way to hospitals.
Political Leaders and NGOs Join Rescue
Leaders across party lines, including J&K Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and Kishtwar District Development Council chairperson Pooja Thakur, actively participated in the ongoing operations. Local NGO Ababeel deployed its ambulances to transport the injured to hospitals in Atholi, Kishtwar, and Doda.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is monitoring rescue measures on the ground, while Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Javid Ahmad Dar is expected to visit the site on Saturday.
Locals Open Doors for Stranded Families The tragedy has displaced several families, with many separated in the chaos. Local residents have opened their homes to stranded people, offering food and shelter. Thousands of pilgrims heading to the nearby temple were also stranded, relying on local support. A viral video showed DDC Chairperson Pooja Thakur sheltering children whose families were missing in the floods.
Health Facilities Strengthened The administration has boosted medical infrastructure in the region. A team of specialists and neurosurgeons has been dispatched to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu. Additionally, 13 doctors and 31 paramedics have been sent to Atholi Sub-District Hospital, while healthcare teams remain on alert at the Kishtwar district hospital. Over 200 units of blood have been made available for emergency use.
Community in Mourning Religious groups have announced muted Janmashtami celebrations this year as a mark of respect for the victims. The Sanatan Dharam Sabha in Bhaderwah cancelled traditional festivities, citing the grief and shock prevailing across the Chenab Valley.
A Region Prone to Cloudbursts The Chenab Valley has a history of flash floods triggered by cloudbursts. In 2021, over two dozen people lost their lives in Kishtwar’s Honzer village. Similar incidents in Doda’s Thathri in 2022 and in April this year underline the recurring vulnerability of the region.
As the search for the missing continues, authorities remain on high alert with the death toll expected to rise further.