Kishtwar Cloudburst : BJP’s J&K leadership assess relief efforts, assures support to affected families

Srinagar, Aug 16: In the wake of the catastrophic cloudburst that struck the remote village of Chashoti in Kishtwar district, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders visited the affected areas to assess the damage and oversee rescue efforts.Jammu & Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma led a high-level delegation to Kishtwar, undertaking a two-day visit to coordinate relief activities. Accompanying Sharma were senior leaders, including BJP General Secretaries Baldev Singh Billawaria and Gopal Mahajan, DDC Chairperson Doda Dhanantar Singh, and several MLAs such as Shakti Parihar, Dalip Parihar, RS Pathania, and Balwant Singh Mankotia.Sunil Sharma, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the J&K Assembly, along with MLA Shagun Parihar, had already reached the site shortly after the disaster struck, actively participating in rescue operations that helped save many lives during the initial hours.During his visit, Sat Sharma interacted directly with administrative officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, to review ongoing rescue and relief operations. He facilitated transportation for stranded individuals, arranging vehicles to help them reach safer locations such as Gulabgarh, the party said in a statement issued here, adding that the BJP leader briefed senior Union government officials, including the Union Home Minister and the party’s National President, about the ground realities.Sharma assured the victims that the BJP, along with the state government and the Centre, would extend all possible support. “Immediate relief has been disbursed among the affected families, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund will be utilised for their assistance. We are committed to ensuring that no one is left without help,” he said. He directed the administration to expedite the process of recovering the deceased, provide urgent medical aid to the injured, and intensify relief efforts without delay.The J&K BJP, led by its General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, convened an urgent meeting to review the situation arising out of the devastating cloudburst and to chalk out immediate relief measures for the affected families.BJP National Secretary & MLA Dr Narinder Singh Raina, J&K BJP Vice-President Rakesh Mahajan, and others participated in the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Koul expressed deep anguish over the tragic incident and assured that the BJP would stand firm with the affected families in this hour of grief. “We pledge unwavering support to our brothers and sisters in Kishtwar and all the pilgrims from Jammu and other places. BJP workers and leaders will not rest until every possible assistance, be it food, shelter, medical care, or monetary help, is delivered to the victims. At this difficult time, we also pray for the safety and well-being of all those in the affected region,” he said.Recognising the gravity of the situation, the BJP dispatched three truckloads of essential supplies—including drinking water—from Jammu and Udhampur to the affected areas. More consignments are being mobilised to ensure continuous assistance, the party said, adding that it has established dedicated helplines for affected families in Kishtwar and Jammu, ensuring streamlined communication and immediate response to queries and requests.The helpline contacts include prominent leaders and officials such as Ravi Parihar, Banwari Lal Sharma, Ramesh, and Pawan Parihar in Kishtwar, along with Jammu-based helplines managed by office landlines and senior party members.BJP’s youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), has been tasked with providing round-the-clock assistance to patients and their families admitted to hospitals, ensuring that medical needs are promptly addressed.In a separate visit, Sat Sharma, along with senior party leaders including General Secretaries Sanjita Dogra, Baldev Singh Billawaria, and Gopal Mahajan, visited the Government Medical College Hospital (GMC) in Jammu to assess the treatment of those injured in the disaster. The hospital administration briefed them on the ongoing medical arrangements, and Sharma interacted directly with patients and their families.He called for providing the best possible healthcare facilities during such emergencies. “The well-being of every citizen is our foremost responsibility. We must ensure that those injured receive the finest medical care and recover swiftly,” Sharma said. He assured the hospital administration of full support from the BJP and government agencies to bolster healthcare infrastructure and services.The BJP leaders expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and resilience during this difficult time.LoP Sunil Sharma praised the swift response of local residents, security personnel, and relief agencies, saying every measure will be taken to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the affected.