Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's scheduled visit to Kishtwar has been postponed due to fresh landslides in the area. Singh was scheduled to visit the region following a devastating cloudburst that struck Chisoti village on August 14, 2025. The cloudburst resulted in 65 fatalities, over 100 injuries, and 32 missing persons.
Due to inclement weather and landslides, Singh could not reach the affected areas of Kishtwar. Instead, he reviewed the situation in Chisoti via video conferencing from Jammu. The meeting included Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and senior officers from the Army and police. Singh acknowledged the excellent work carried out by the Union Territory administration, Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police during the crisis.
Although he couldn't visit Kishtwar, Singh met with survivors of the flash floods at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Jammu. He assessed the medical care being provided to those injured in the Chashoti village cloudburst. Speaking to reporters, Singh conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern for those affected by the Kishtwar cloudburst, stating that the Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation. Singh expressed relief that the patients admitted to the hospital were out of danger and recovering well and he also appreciated the dedication of the doctors.
The cloudburst in Chisoti caused extensive damage, destroying a makeshift market, a community kitchen (langar) for pilgrims to the Machail Mata temple, 16 houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-meter bridge, and over a dozen vehicles. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals and provide assistance to affected families.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had earlier stated that Singh would visit the cloudburst-hit Chasoti village if weather conditions permitted. However, the continued adverse weather prevented the visit.
In response to the heavy rains in the region, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert. An advisory has been issued for people to exercise caution, as the weather forecast predicts the possibility of moderate to intense rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in high-altitude areas until August 27. The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has postponed the annual private examinations for the 10th and 11th classes that were scheduled for Monday, due to the severe weather conditions.
Despite the cancellation of his visit to Kishtwar, Rajnath Singh affirmed that the central government is fully committed to providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the cloudburst.
