Omar overseas rescue operation in flood-hit J&K

Kashmir witnessed massive rains which caused flood and damaged houses and claimed at least 65 lives in the Valley.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has moved two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to flood-affected areas of Jammu.

Two NDRF teams from Bathinda have been air-lifted to Srinagar on Friday and another two teams from Bathinda will be moved to Srinagar during the day.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with Abdullah on Thursday and directed the NDRF to move its teams to J&K for relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas.

According to reports, Abdullah remained with rescue teams while the patients and inmates of Barzulla hospital were evacuated from the hospital to safer places.

People from submerged areas have been rescued by rescuers.

The rescue operation continued throughout the night.

Omar also visited Channapora, Natipora, Padshahibagh and Bemina areas in the night hours.

He has given strict directions to the administration for taking all measures to safeguard human lives.

The Chief Minister has also directed for establishing shelter camps for the affected families and provide food, blankets, medicines and other items of requirement to them.

The state government has already sanctioned Rs. 20 crores to meet the emergency expenditure on account of rescue and relief operations.

Administration also issued a formal notice to all educational heads and asked them to close schools for next three days.

Heavy rains forced people to cancel the marriage ceremonies which were due to be held these days.

According to unofficial figures, around eight hundred ceremonies have cancelled so far.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)