JAMMU, Aug 22, 2025 : Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma has lauded troops for their swift and dedicated disaster relief operations following the devastating Chisoti cloudburst.
During his visit to Rajouri and Kishtwar on Thursday, Lt Gen Sharma commended the resilience and timely action of soldiers engaged in search, rescue, and humanitarian assistance.
The August 14 cloudburst at Chisoti — the last motorable village on the route to Machail Mata temple — claimed 65 lives, with 33 people still missing. In response, the Army deployed over 300 personnel with heavy machinery to intensify rescue and relief operations.
Army engineers restored connectivity by constructing a Bailey bridge over the Chisoti nullah, while all-terrain vehicles were also inducted to aid ongoing efforts.
The calamity caused large-scale destruction, sweeping away a makeshift market and langar site for the Machail Mata yatra, damaging 16 houses, three temples, government buildings, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, and several vehicles.
