J-K CM Omar Abdullah meets flash-flood affected families in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR (Jammu and Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met with the families affected by the flash flood due to a cloud burst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister on Saturday visited the flood-affected areas in Kishtwar district to assess the damage caused by flash floods earlier this week.

#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah visits Chasoti village of Kishtwar district, meets and listens to the concerns of those affected by the flash flood and devastation pic.twitter.com/ShC1PAxK3T

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

His convoy reached Gulabgarh in the Padder block and proceeded towards Chashoti village, one of the worst-hit locations, to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations. Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families.

#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah at Chasoti village in Kishtwar district takes a briefing from Indian Army personnel and uses a Virtual Reality headset to understand the extent of damage caused by the recent flash flood here pic.twitter.com/E65yMopTeb

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

The Indian Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police and district administration, is carrying out rescue operations in the village. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction on Thursday, killing at least 60 people.

#WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah meets families affected by flash flood in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district pic.twitter.com/W2ebQLZ3P5

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025

On Friday, Abdullah confirmed the deaths and said that the number of missing people was still being verified. “Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground,” Omar Abdullah told reporters.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited Chesoti late on Friday evening to take stock of the situation. Meanwhile, as per sources, the Indian Air Force has been put on standby to support the operations. Two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter have been kept ready at Jammu and Udhampur for deployment if needed.

Earlier, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. (ANI)