Chasoti (Kishtwar), Aug 16 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday acknowledged the frustration of locals searching for missing relatives in the aftermath of a devastating cloudburst in Chasoti village, saying their anger was “completely understandable.”
Abdullah, who visited the worst-hit area—last motorable village on the Machail Mata Yatra route—said the top priority was rescuing those feared trapped under debris, boulders, and wooden logs after flash floods swept through on August 14.
“So far, 60 deaths have been confirmed and 70–80 people are missing. The numbers may vary, but claims of 500–1,000 casualties are exaggerated,” he told reporters after being confronted by agitated villagers demanding answers.
Locals alleged hundreds may have been buried when a makeshift market, community kitchen, security post, 16 houses, three temples, four water mills, a 30-meter bridge, government buildings, and dozens of vehicles were washed away.
“We have deployed all available resources—Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police, CISF—for rescue. Where survival is not possible, bodies will be retrieved and handed over for last rites,” Abdullah assured.
The CM said ₹36 lakh from the deputy commissioner’s fund had already been distributed as immediate relief, with additional funds from the CM’s Relief Fund being released.
On relocation of survivors, Abdullah said experts would be consulted before any decision. “We must ensure they are shifted to safer places, not into more danger,” he added.
The Machail Mata Yatra, which began July 25 and was to continue till September 5, remained suspended for the third day.
