Over 80 thousand people have been so far rescued by the armed forces. Water level is decreasing in Srinagar city giving some respite to the trapped people. Efforts are being made to open Jammu to Srinagar national highway and other connecting roads. AIR correspondent reports that helicopters and aircrafts of armed forces are engaged in rescue and relief operations since morning.

So far, 710 sorties have been undertaken by the air force to evacuate people and distribute relief material in far off places. The rescue teams today focused those areas where it was not possible to reach earlier like Rajbag,Jawahar nagar,Gogji Bag and Shivpura. Rail service to Katra town was also restored today and special trains are being run to clear the rush of Mata Vaishno Devi pigrims.

Meanwhile, the Army is assisting Aircel to revive mobile services from tower at Barzullah in Srinagar. A Defence Ministry release issued in New Delhi this evening said, satellite connectivity is being provided by airlifting the Base Transmitting Station of BSNL from Kargil to Srinagar.

Thirty generator sets with mobile charging stations are also being airlifted from Chandigarh to the city. Besides, the Army has planned to set up ten STD booths in the city. The release said 355 persons requiring immediate medical attention have been evacuated by Army Aviation Helicopters so far. The Army has deployed additional 89 boat teams in the city to rescue stranded people.

Earlier in the day, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh reviewed the flood situation in the city and reiterated Army's commitment to continue with relief operations till the last person is rescued. He said troops are, round the clock, engaged in evacuating people and providing relief.