Rajnath Singh meets Kishtwar cloudburst victims in Jammu; reviews relief ops

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday visited Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, where he met victims of the Kishtwar cloudburst and inquired about their condition from the attending doctors.

Singh was originally scheduled to visit Chositi village in Kishtwar, where the devastating cloudburst occurred on August 14, but was unable to proceed due to inclement weather conditions.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said: “Met those who were injured due to the cloudburst and flash floods. Praying for the speedy recovery of all the injured. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh accompanied me during the visit.”

He added, “Due to inclement weather, I could not go to the cloudburst affected areas of Kishtwar today. Reviewed the situation at Chositi from Jammu, via video conferencing facility. It is heartening to note that the state administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police have done excellent work during the crisis situation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is leaving no stone unturned in providing relief and rehabilitation to those who have been affected by this tragic incident”.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said the Defence Minister personally met each patient at GMC Jammu, inquired about their health, and discussed treatment plans with the doctors.

“He ensured that all necessary assistance is being extended to the victims,” Dr Singh stated.

Following the hospital visit, the Defence Minister held a review meeting with officials in Jammu to assess the situation in Kishtwar and ongoing relief efforts in the affected villages.

Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly and MLA from Padder, said he briefed the Defence Minister via video conference—alongside senior administrative officers—about the relief and rehabilitation operations underway. Sharma also put forth several long-pending local demands.

He said after careful consideration, the Defence Minister approved the construction of the Bailey Bridge, directed improvements in mobile connectivity, sanctioned the Army Goodwill School, and ordered the establishment of a petrol pump at Padder, addressing long standing demands of the local community.

Flash floods triggered by the cloudburst struck Chisoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple, on August 14, killing 65 people, mostly pilgrims, and leaving more than 100 injured.

A large-scale search operation is ongoing to trace 32 people still reported missing by their families after the tragedy.