A massive rescue and relief operation by the Indian Armed Forces is on in the flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir with more helicopters and rescue materials including boats pressed into the service today. Armed Forces and NDRF have so far rescued over 50 thousand people in different regions of the state. A Defence Ministry release today said, about 24 thousand people were evacuated from Srinagar alone. They included Nepalese Ambassador along with a 17-member delegation and 28-member squad of Pakistani golf players who were part of the SAARC team. Army has deployed 215 columns of its personnel for rescue and relief operations in Srinagar and Jammu regions.

The road connectivity to the flood affected Kashmir valley has been restored from the Leh region. It will give a major boost to the ongoing relief operations being undertaken by the Army in the Kashmir Valley.

Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said, efforts are on to restore 2,500 mobile phone towers in the State. BSNL officials said, Army and Air Force are helping to restore mobile services through satellite network and services are expected to be partially restored today. AIR correspondent reports, about four lakh people are still stranded in flood-ravaged Kashmir Valley. Border Roads Organization has intensified its operation to clear Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which remained closed for the sixth consecutive day today. According to Defence sources, blankets ,tents and food items are being distributed in the flood-affected areas. Medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also swung into action. Altogether 61 aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into action.

Meanwhile, as Kashmir valley remains under flood water, the Air India has declared free passage for tourists stranded in Srinagar. Air India's gesture was announced after a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, in New Delhi today.