Rajnath Singh's Kishtwar visit deferred due to fresh landslides in area

Defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Jammu on Sunday and met some of the people injured in the recent cloudburst and landslides in Kishtwar district. Around 16 injured are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College in Jammu.

Singh was scheduled to visit Kishtwar but could not go there due to fresh landslides and inclement weather.

J&K officials have informed that at least 65 persons were killed in Chisoti village of Kishtwar on August 14 and at least 32 persons are still missing. The cloudburst struck Chisoti, around 90 km from Kishtwar town, which is the last motorable village enroute to Machail Mata temple. Many pilgrims were present in the area for the annual yatra that started on July 25 and was scheduled to end on September 5. The 8.5 km trek to the 9,500 feet high shrine begins from Chisoti. Several people were stranded in another Hamori village as well. Many houses, government infrastructure, temples, houses and vehicles were damaged due to the flowing mud and stone debris.

"The prime minister is very concerned and is monitoring the situation. I had planned to visit the spot but couldn't due to inclement weather and a landslide... We are now going to the Raj Bhavan where we will talk to the (affected) people through videoconferencing," Singh told reporters. He was accompanied by Union minister Jitendra Singh and J&K LG Manoj Sinha.