Kishtwar, Aug 16 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the cloudburst-hit areas of Kishtwar and assured people that relief, rescue, and rehabilitation remain the government’s immediate priority. Speaking to media persons, Abdullah said immediate relief has already been provided to many affected families and more funds are being released to assist those whose homes were damaged.

According to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Abdullah said, “Immediate relief has been distributed to as many of the homes that have been partially or totally damaged. Around ?36 lakhs available with the DC have already been disbursed. I have directed the Additional Chief Secretary to release more funds from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund so that assistance reaches people without delay.”

CM Omar said the government will also examine the demand for relocation of families living in vulnerable areas. “To shift or not to shift is a sensitive decision. A team of experts must assess where people can be safely accommodated. Our concern is not to put them in more danger,” he explained.

On regulation of local religious yatras in view of changing weather patterns, Abdullah stressed caution.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“Smaller pilgrimages earlier had a few hundred people, now thousands participate. We may need regulation and registration, but before any step, we must consult religious leaders as people’s sentiments are attached,” he said.

Acknowledging the grief of families waiting for their missing relatives, the Chief Minister said, “I can understand their anger. They want answers. That is why we have deployed NDRF, SDRF, Army, J&K Police and CISF to carry out rescue and, where needed, retrieve bodies so that families can perform last rites.”

He confirmed that the death toll has reached around 60, while 70–80 people remain missing, though the figures may change as some are out of contact due to network or road disruptions.

CM said, “This is not just about J&K. Look at Uttarakhand and Himachal all hill states are now prone to cloudbursts, flash floods and glacial lake bursts. We need expert advice and collective planning to mitigate such risks.”

Chief Minister assured that all required assistance will continue and efforts are being made to both rescue survivors and recover missing persons.(KNS)