The campaign started to search for the missing people after a cloudburst in the remote village Chishoti in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir continued on Sunday for the fourth day and relief workers hope that today they will clean a large affected area.
Meanwhile, army engineers have started work on the construction of a Bailey Bridge to restore contact between the village and Machail Mata Temple and intensify rescue operations.
On August 14, a cloudburst died and 80 others went missing in Chishoti, the last village on the way to Machail Mata temple, while 167 people were rescued.
Giant stones were also scattered around various places, especially around the most affected anchor site, and some stones that were obstructed in the search operation were removed by rescue workers on Saturday evening through controlled explosion.
Officials said the police, army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organization (BRO), joint teams of civil administration and local volunteers are continuing rescue operations.
So far 50 bodies have been identified and after completing legal formalities, they have been handed over to their families.
Army’s Anti -Terrorism ‘Delta Force’ General Officer Commanding Major General A.P.S. Bal said that after felt the need of the bridge, army engineers have surveyed the area.
“For the sake of crossing the river, we need to construct a 17 -meter long bridge for smooth movement for crossing the river.” He said that the construction of the bridge will be completed by Sunday evening.
