In Jammu and Kashmir incessant rains followed by flash floods have wreaked havoc with about 20 persons having been killed across the State. 50 persons are also reported to have been washed away in border district of Rajouri alone. According to official sources, a bus carrying a marriage party, including the bride and groom, was washed when it was crossing the Laam-Darhal-Moushera Road near Noushehra. An Army unit, which immediately reached the spot after the mishap, rescued four people who had jumped off the bus.

Those rescued include, the driver and conductor of the bus. The Army has launched an operation to search and rescue the victims. However, their whereabouts are not known and are feared washed away in floods. SSP, Rajouri Mubasir Latiffee, who also rushed to the spot along with a police team for the rescue work, told AIR Correspondent R.K.Raina.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation arising out of flash floods in the state today. The Home Minister spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over telephone to take stock of the situation and the steps taken for rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas. Expressing grief over the loss of precious lives in floods, the Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all necessary help to the state. The Home Minister who was scheduled to visit the State tomorrow has cancelled his visit to the state.

AIR correspondent reports, the situation in the entire State is very grim. Many areas and localities in Kashmir Valley are submerged in flood water with Divisional Administration having asked the people living along the banks of river Jhelum and embankments of different water bodies to move to safer areas immediately in view of the flood situation.

The State Cabinet reviewed the situation at an emergency meeting and sanctioned Rs. 20 crore which will be at the disposal of both Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions for meeting the expenditure on account of establishing community kitchens, rescue operations, providing shelter and restoring the connectivity.

The flood has affected 500 Public Health Engineering (PHE) Schemes across the State