April 20, 2024 04:27 (IST)
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Kashmir flood a national disaster: Narendra Modi
Srinagar, Sept 7 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Jammu and Kashmir to survey the flood situation, on Sunday called the natural calamity a national level disaster and assured to stand by the people of the region even as the situation worsened from the fury of the nature that is worst since 1957, claiming 160 lives so far.
"This is a national-level disaster. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of J&K in this hour of crisis," said Modi. after holding a high-level meeting in Jammu to assess the relief work and the damage that has been caused due to the massive floods in the state. He also made an aerial survey of the regions.
South Kashmir is worst affected now with Jhelum river overflowing and breaching embankments in many places, even submerging roads of Srinagar city.
"The anguish is of the whole of the nation and not just the people of Kashmir," Modi said.
The PM also said if required he would like to help the people of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) affected by the floods.
"If they want and whenever they want, India will support the POK affected area on humanitarian grounds," said Modi.
State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other top officials attended the meeting and briefed Modi about the havoc caused by the floods.
Later Omar Abdullah tweeted: "Grateful to @PMOIndia for additional assistance of Rs.1000 crore and continued support @narendramodi"
According to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) engaged in rescue, water of Jhelum River has flooded parts of Srinagar and adjacent areas.
NDRF teams engaged in rescue and relief work have evacuated more than 2700 victims to safer places, it said on Sunday.
Rescue teams are deployed at various places of districts Pulwama (viz. Kulgam, Kakapura, Pullu, Lallar, Rishipura, Begambag), Awantipur and Srinagar in Kashmir and Satwari and Sandwa in Jammu. NDRF rescuers are putting their best efforts to evacuate flood affected people by using their skills and latest disaster management equipment in adverse conditions.
More NDRF rescue teams are being airlifted from Delhi to Srinagar. Teams are also kept on standby at NDRF base Pune, Ghaziabad and Gandhinagar for further deployment in areas, if needed.
IBNS correspondent said there is no power in many areas and even Internet connection is failing at times.
About 160 died in the floods, according to figures compiled from various sources.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday said it has airlifted a total of 850 personnel so far in the flood affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Of this, 401 were evacuated on Saturday.
"Today One C-17 Globemaster aircraft has been launched from Delhi to Awantipur with RAMT (Rapid Action Medical Team), Two IL 76 aircraft with medical supplies and boats have taken off from Palam Air Force Base for Srinagar. Besides this One IL-76 with teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) personnel has also taken off from Palam for Srinagar," the IAF said in a statement.
"Three C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircrafts have been pressed into service to transport boats from Pune and Gandhinagar to Srinagar and blankets (10000) and tents (3000) from Kanpur to Jammu and Srinagar. A total of Twelve AN-32, Four IL-76, Five C-130J and Two C-17 transport aircraft of the IAF have been pressed into operations. On the helicopter front, a total of Twenty Six helicopters of the IAF are operating in the region," it said.
As the state of the Jammu and Kashmir is battling against massive floods, creating havoc here, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier in the day said that over 110 people have lost their lives so far while appealing to the people to remain calm.
"The death toll has reached 110, however, we are not sure of the exact number now owing to the bus accident in Rajouri. About 25 bodies have been recovered from the accident site," Abdullah said.
He said the situation has worsened in Kashmir but assured that rescue operations are pacing up and that the relief teams are trying to reach all areas.
"We are trying to reach maximum people and as quickly as possible," assured the CM.
"My appeal to the people is that they should not panic. They should try to stay in the higher floors of their houses," he said adding that the water level in Jammu is decreasing.
CONTROL ROOMS FOR ASSISTANCE PERTAINING TO J&K FLOODS 23093054, 23092763, 23093564, 23092923, 23092885, 23093566, 23093563.
(Reporting by Saleem Qadri and IBNS Bureau)
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