65 dead, 80 still missing as rescuers battle boulders and debris
Imran Shah
Chisoti (Kishtwar),DD, The frantic search for those missing in the devastating cloudburst that struck Chisoti village of Kishtwar district entered the fourth day on Sunday, with joint rescue teams racing against time to trace survivors and recover bodies buried under boulders and mud.
The disaster, triggered by a sudden cloudburst on August 14, has so far claimed 65 lives, left 80 people missing, and injured 167 others. The flash floods flattened a bustling makeshift market and a langar site set up for Machail Mata yatra pilgrims, besides damaging 16 houses, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-long bridge, and more than a dozen vehicles.
Officials said giant boulders scattered across the impact zone, especially around the langar site, were hampering search efforts. On Saturday evening, some of them were blasted in controlled explosions to clear the way for rescuers.
“We are hopeful of clearing a major spot today where several people are believed to be trapped,” one rescue official said.
The operation involves joint teams of the Army, Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), civil administration, and local volunteers. So far, 50 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families after completion of formalities.
To restore vital connectivity, Army engineers have started constructing a 17-metre Bailey bridge across the swollen river, which will not only link the village but also provide access to the Machail Mata shrine. “We are here because of the people. Our response was immediate, and we are committed to helping with rescue, medicine, food, and every possible support,” said Maj Gen A P S Bal, GOC of the Army’s Delta Force.
The annual Machail Mata yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to conclude on September 5, remained suspended for the fourth straight day. The 8.5-km trek to the 9,500-foot-high shrine starts from Chisoti, around 90 km from Kishtwar town.
Rescuers are deploying dozens of earth-movers, heavy equipment, and NDRF dog squads to speed up the grim search. Despite intermittent rains and overcast skies, officials said they remain determined to continue operations until all missing persons are traced.(DD)
