Kishtwar Tragedy: Rescue operations in disaster-hit Chisoti village of Kishtwar entered the third day on Saturday, with teams racing against time to save lives and locate those still missing.
Officials confirmed that the death toll has risen to 65, with at least 50 bodies identified and handed over to families. Between 100 and 150 people remain under treatment in hospitals across Jammu, Kishtwar, and Padder, while several with minor injuries have been discharged.
Despite tireless efforts, the fate of around 70 missing persons — including children, locals from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and even a CISF soldier — remains uncertain. Families anxiously wait for news, clinging to the hope that their loved ones may still be alive.
The tragedy has triggered anger among locals, who voiced frustration during Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit, saying that VIP arrivals were slowing down relief work.
On the ground, however, rescue teams from the Army, J&K Police, NDRF, SDRF, BRO, and local volunteers continue round-the-clock efforts. Explosives were used to clear massive boulders, while dog squads were deployed to trace survivors. Officials assured that operations will not stop until every missing person is accounted for.
Meanwhile, the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has been at the centre of critical care. According to GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, 66 critical patients were admitted on August 14 night alone, with 25 life-saving surgeries performed within hours. He praised the medical and nursing staff for their dedication, recounting how they cleaned dust-covered patients, provided clothing, and comforted terrified children who had lost their families.
Senior officers, including the Chief Secretary, DGP, GOC Delta Force, and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, are camping in the area to monitor relief. The BJP has also dispatched essentials, with party president Sat Sharma and local MLAs reviewing operations at the site.
As bodies and survivors continue to reach their hometowns, heart-wrenching stories of loss — and rare moments of survival — paint a picture of both despair and resilience in Kishtwar.
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