Srinagar, Aug 14: Political leaders in Jammu & Kashmir have expressed grief and shock over the loss of dozens of lives caused by a cloudburst in Chishoti village in Padder area of Kishtwar district. Over 200 people are reported missing.
Farooq Abdullah : National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, in a statement issued here, extended his deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic event.Describing the incident as a “monumental tragedy”, he called on the administration to intensify rescue and relief operations and to ensure swift rehabilitation and support for the affected population. “This is a moment of collective grief. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives or are missing. I salute the courage and dedication of the rescue teams working under such difficult circumstances,” he said.Dr Abdullah called on the government to reach out proactively to the victims and provide timely assistance, medical care, temporary shelter, and compensation. He appealed to locals and volunteers to cooperate with authorities in ongoing rescue efforts by rescue teams, immediately dispatched to the disaster site for large-scale operations, which are underway to search for survivors and evacuate those trapped.The NC chief reiterated his party’s full support for all humanitarian and relief initiatives aimed at mitigating the suffering of those affected by this calamity.
G N Azad : Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a statement, said, “My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones in such a devastating cloudburst. I expect that the district administration will leave no stone unturned in rescue and relief operations and ensure all possible assistance, treatment to the injured and affected people.”
Speaker A R Rather :Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, urged the government authorities to ensure all possible help and support to the affected families who lost their loved ones in such an unfortunate incident. He said the entire nation is in deep grief over this irreparable loss and stands in solidarity with the affected families.Rather appealed to the voluntary organisations and the public to come forward and extend every possible assistance to those in distress.
M Y Tarigami : Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami called it a “deeply sad moment for all”, saying the tragedy, which left several dead and many injured, demands an immediate and coordinated response.“The government should announce compensation for the deceased without delay, ensure proper treatment for the injured, and expedite rescue operations,” he said in a statement.Tarigami warned that Jammu and Kashmir, being an ecologically fragile region, is among the most vulnerable to climate change in the Indian Himalayan region. “J&K’s fragile environment is under increasing strain from multiple factors — from global warming and reckless urban growth to deforestation and the neglect of our water bodies. Over the past two decades, the signs of climate change have become unmistakable, with erratic weather bringing drought-like conditions in some areas and devastating flash floods, windstorms, and cloudbursts in others,” he said.Recalling similar disasters in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the CPI(M) leader said such incidents are “wake-up calls” for policymakers and the administration. “We must learn lessons from these tragedies and develop effective responses to such calamities and emerging challenges before they cause even greater losses,” he said.Quoting recent environmental studies, he said that in recent years, J&K has witnessed a rise in cloudburst incidents, with several districts hit by flash floods in the past few months. “Jammu and Kashmir today stands on the brink of an environmental disaster. Unless we act to safeguard our fragile ecosystem and conserve our natural resources, we risk endangering not just our present, but the future of generations to come,” he added.
Altaf Bukhari : Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari in a statement said, “I am shocked and deeply grieved by the loss of precious lives in a massive cloudburst in Kishtwar. This is a profound tragedy.”He added, “In this hour of unimaginable pain and sorrow, Apni Party stands in solidarity with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the Almighty grant them the strength to endure this immense loss, and may the departed souls rest in eternal peace. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have sustained injuries during this natural calamity.”
Hakeem Yaseen : People’s Democratic Front (PDF) president and former minister Hakeem Yaseen said the tragedy has left every member of the party leadership and cadre heartbroken. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls, while also wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.Hakeem called for setting up temporary shelters equipped with food, drinking water, blankets, and medicines, as well as ensuring the swift evacuation of those in danger. He stressed the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation measures, including financial compensation to the affected families, rebuilding damaged homes, and restoring livelihoods.Expressing concern over the recurrence of such natural calamities in the region, the PDF chief urged authorities to treat this incident as a wake-up call. He recommended the installation of early warning systems in disaster-prone zones, periodic safety audits of pilgrimage routes and hilly areas, and training local communities in emergency response.“Beyond mourning, there is a responsibility to act. This tragedy must push us to strengthen our disaster preparedness so that such heartbreaking incidents can be prevented in the future,” he said.
