April 25, 2024 21:18 (IST)
Follow us:
J&K floods: Over 1,10,000 rescued
Srinagar, Sept 11 (IBNS): As thousands of stranded residents of Jammu and Kashmir struggle to save their lives from the flood fury that has hit the north Indian state and claimed about 200 lives, besides creating ravage here, the Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) have rescued over 1,10,000 persons different parts in the ongoing relief operations.
A third batch of Naval Marine Commandos with Rubberised Inflatable Craft (Geminis), Out Board Motors (OBMs), Compressors, Diving sets and satellite phones arrived at Srinagar on Thursday to support the rescue operations.
"On the Tenth day of the rescue operation ‘Operation Megh Rahat’ the Army has intensified its rescue efforts. While more than 220 columns remain dedicated for the rescue efforts the number of people rescued by the Army has increased to 65,000," Defence Ministry spokesperson SD Goswami said.
Eighty four transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into service.
The Army has deployed around 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations, in which 21,000 troops are deployed in Srinagar region and 9,000 troops in Jammu region.
Armed Forces personnel are distributing water bottles and food packets on a large scale. So far 2,24,000 litres of water, 31,500 food packets and over 375 tonne cooked food have already been airdropped and distributed in the flood-affected areas, a Defence Ministry statement said.
"8,200 blankets and 650 tents were provided to the flood victims. 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating in full swing. Four Field Hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people. Till now they have treated more than 21,500 patients. More relief materials including blankets and tents, water bottles and food packets are being airlifted from Hyderabad, Baroda and Delhi," it said.
However, IBNS correspondent reported that while food packets are being air dropped, they are not always reaching the flood hit people and are carried away by waters.
"Many people are still trapped in their houses where no assistance has reached," reported our correspondent.
About 1081 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Armed Forces so far. 1411 tonnes of relief materials were dropped by the Indian Air Force.
Keeping in view of urgent requirement of more boats in the rescue operation, the Army said it has deployed 90 more boats in Srinagar and adjoining areas.
A total of 224 boats of Army and 148 NDRF’s inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operation.
Armed Forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu region.
In Srinagar region, camps were established at BB Cantt, Avantipur, Old Airfield, Sumbal, Chattargam and Jijamata Mandir, where thousands of rescued people are being sheltered. They are also being provided with food and other basic amenities.
"Thirteen tonnes of water purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day is being transported to Srinagar today," a government statement said.
Engineering stores including suction and submersible pumps from Vishakhapatnam and Jodhpur are also being sent to flood affected area.
Communication equipment of Department of Telecommunication, Army, BSNL and some of private companies are also being sent to restore the communication systems in the State.
However, there has been a fresh landslide reported ahead of Ramban which is hampering the reopening of road to the Kashmir valley.
The Army though said that with the concerted efforts of Army Engineers and the Border Road Organisation Light vehicle connectivity from Banihal upto Pampore has been restored.
It is expected that the road till Srinagar should be opened in a week’s time.
Specialised Army Engineer and Communication detachments and equipment are being air lifted from Jammu, Udhampur and other locations of the country to facilitate restoration of water supply, telecommunication and bridge construction in the valley.
To restore the road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation, which include 5700 personnel, have been pressed into service.
As of now, they have restored the road connectivity from Batote – Kishtwar and Kishtwar - Sinthan Pass. Work between Sinthan Pass and Anantnag is now open for light vehicles. Jammu - Poonch road has been cleared for traffic. On the Jammu – Srinagar highway, BRO personnel are trying hard to clear the road blocked by fresh landslide at KM 69 and KM 131.
The situation is being continuously monitored and progress of the events are updated in the office of the HQ IDS in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, all officers and staff of the Prime Minister`s Office are voluntarily contributing one day`s salary to the Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund, as a gesture of solidarity with the flood-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir.
It has been learnt, senior officials from the Union Home Ministry have reached Srinagar from New Delhi and other states when Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed them to coordinate with local administration over the relief and rescue operations being carried out.
Sources said the direction came right after PM held a meeting in the capital on Wednesday evening.
The meeting was attended by by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh, cabinet secretary Ajit Seth, principal secretary to the PM Nripendra Misra, additional principal secretary to the PM, secretaries of the Union ministries and many officials from the Defence.
The PM also focused on the issue of ensuring hygiene and sanitation in water-logged areas.
All officers and staff at the Prime Minister's Office contribute a day's salary for people in the state.
About 200 people died due to the flood in Kashmir so far and thousands of people are still trapped in various places.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
'Neither shocked nor surprised': Mallikarjun Kharge writes open letter to PM Modi over Congress manifesto row Thu, Apr 25 2024
'Biased, reflects poor understanding': India dumps US report on alleged rights abuse Thu, Apr 25 2024
6 killed in hotel fire near Patna Junction railway station Thu, Apr 25 2024
Lok Sabha elections: Hyderabad BJP candidate Madhavi Latha, who takes on Asaduddin Owaisi, declares assets worth Rs. 218 crore Thu, Apr 25 2024
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: ECI issues notices to BJP, Congress on complaints against Modi, Rahul Thu, Apr 25 2024
Massive landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh, a large section of Highway-33 washed away Thu, Apr 25 2024
Is private property included in material resources of a community? Here's Supreme Court's viewpoint Thu, Apr 25 2024
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's party leader shot dead in Patna Thu, Apr 25 2024