| Defence Minister to visit cloudburst-hit Chasoti today, announce relief package | | PM Modi, HM Shah personally monitoring rescue efforts | |  Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 23: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for the residents of cloudburst-hit Chasoti village in Kishtwar district, where rescue operations are still going on after the August 14 cloudburst.
The announcement is expected during Singh’s visit to the flood-ravaged region on Sunday, where he will assess ground conditions, interact with affected families, and review the ongoing multi-agency rescue and relief efforts. The visit follows a devastating cloudburst on August 14, which triggered sudden flash floods in Chasoti, leaving at least 65 people dead and over 70 still missing.
The tragedy, which authorities have described as one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, has left the area in a state of shock and mourning. Top government functionaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, are personally monitoring the relief operations. Their involvement has lent urgency to the efforts being led by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local administration, who are navigating challe The announcement is expected during Singh’s visit to the flood-ravaged region, where he will assess ground conditions.
The Defence Minister will interact with affected families, and review the ongoing multi-agency rescue and relief efforts.
The visit follows a devastating cloudburst on August 14, which triggered sudden flash floods in Chasoti, leaving at least 65 people dead and over 70 still missing.
The tragedy, which authorities have described as one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, has left the area in a state of shock and mourning.
According to official sources, Defence Minister Singh will also hold detailed discussions with civil and security officials to chart a long-term strategy for the rehabilitation of displaced residents, infrastructure restoration, and enhanced disaster preparedness in the region.
Chasoti village, the epicentre of the devastation, lies on the route of the ongoing Machail Mata Yatra—a major annual pilgrimage to the revered Chandi Mata shrine in the Paddar Valley. In the wake of the disaster, authorities have placed pilgrimage routes under heightened surveillance, with revised safety advisories for yatris transiting through affected areas.
Meanwhile, search and rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the debris-strewn landscape and downstream areas. Officials fear the death toll may rise as more remains are discovered in the days ahead.
The expected relief package is likely to include financial compensation, housing assistance, and livelihood support for bereaved and displaced families, signalling the Centre’s commitment to rebuilding lives in the stricken region. |
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