Rescue and relief operations in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir are being carried out in full swing as weather has improved. Over 23 thousand people have been rescued from the flood-affected areas so far. Most of the areas in Srinagar city and other parts of the Valley are still submerged in water. However, water level is receding gradually.
Centre has rushed more National Disaster Response Force teams equipped with boats and flood relief equipment. Naval commandos were also deployed for the first time. National Disaster Response Force, NDRF today said that it will start operations during the night also to rescue the flood affected people. Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, Director General of NDRF, O P Singh said that two additional NDRF teams and 30 boats from Tamil Nadu are being dispatched.
In New Delhi, National Crisis Management Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth reviewed relief and rescue operations in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir. Home Ministry said that 29 helicopters and nine aeroplanes have been pressed into service. In addition, 14 aircrafts have been kept on a stand-by for carrying relief material. A team consisting of representatives from the ministries of Power, Communication & Information Technology and Home Affairs have reached Srinagar to extend emergency support facility to the local administration. Ninety 3G towers have started functioning in the state and ten Very Small Aperture Terminal, VSAT systems are being airlifted to restore critical telecom towers.
Center has directed Food Corporation of India to ensure timely and adequate supply of PDS foodgrains to the flood-hit people. The officials have been directed to monitor the situation on a daily basis and take immediate steps to ensure timely availability of food grains. Presently, sufficient stock of foodgrains is available to meet the requirement for about three months in Jammu region and for two months in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government today setup a relief cell where people can seek information about their near and dear ones stranded due to floods in Kashmir division. The cell has been set up in the office of JK Tourism Development Corporation. All queries with regard to Kashmir division can be made ontelephone Nos: 0191-2565838, 2565848 and 2576594.
