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New Delhi: As rescuers continued operations in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir for the fourth consecutive day, the death toll was recorded at 61. The flash floods caused by cloudburst led to a loss of connectivity between Chisoti village and the Machail Mata shrine. Efforts ware on to restore the connectivity in the area. The Army is rebuilding the the Bailey bridge which would help strengthen rescue efforts.
The cloudburst that struck Chisoti, on August 14 led to severe destruction. Chisoti is the last accessible village en route to the Machail Mata temple. The cloudburst left over 100 injured and several dead. With the rescuers recovering another body, the death toll rose to 61 on Sunday. The number of missing persons has come down to 50, while the bodies of three persons still remain unidentified.
As the abrupt flood hit the area, the residents were left in a state of shock, witnessing the swift destruction, halting their daily lives. The flashflood led to the flattening of a makeshift market, destroyed a langar (community kitchen) site for the Machail Mata Yatra, damaged 16 houses and government buildings. Apart from this, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-long bridge, and more than a dozen vehicles were damaged due to the flashfloods.
The rescuers, within 45 minutes, conducted three controlled explosions to blow up giant boulders, putting the search operation to a halt, especially near the worst-hit langer site, The Hindu reported. "Besides saving lives, we are also providing the affected people with medicines, food, and all kinds of things that we can provide,” The Hindu quoted one of the army officials as saying.
The annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and was set to conclude on September 5, remained halted for the fourth straight day on Sunday. Meanwhile, seven people in Kathua district of Jammu were killed overnight, due to a cloudburst that led to flashflood in the area.
The Meteorological department has cautioned of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones during the August 17-19 wet spell.
The weather department said light to moderate rain is expected at many places with heavy rainfall likely in parts of Jammu Division, especially Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba and Kathua. Showers of moderate to intense nature are also likely over Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, while some areas of Kashmir Division may witness brief but strong spells with gusty winds.
