Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the flood affected areas in Kishtwar district to assess the damage caused by flash floods earlier this week.
His convoy reached Gulabgarh in Pandar block and is moving towards the village, one of the worst hit places to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations.
On Friday, Abdullah confirmed that about 60 bodies were recovered from Chasoti village in Kishtwar district after a devastating flash flood on Thursday. He said that the number of missing persons was still being verified.
“Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the conclusion of rescue and relief operations, we will inquire whether the administration may have taken any preventive steps when the Met department issued a warning and also advised people what is not needed.
Rescue and relief efforts are underway with the army, NDRF, SDRF, police and local administration on the site.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited the affected areas in Chasoti on Friday evening to take stock of the situation.
According to sources, the Indian Air Force is placed on standby to assist in operation. Two MI -17 helicopters and an advanced light helicopter have been prepared in Jammu and Udhampur for deployment.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech expressed solidarity with people affected by recent natural disasters across the country.
He said, “Nature is testing us … For the last few days, we are facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbukes and many other disasters. Our sympathy is with the affected people,” he said to the Red Fort. (AI)
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