Army, IAF, NDRF continue JK flood rescue

Residents said they are living without power, internet connection or even fuel for both automobile and domestic use.

 

According to various reports, about 150 people died in the floods. 

Singh said over 2500 villages have been affected and over 450 villages  submerged besides 107 people have lost their lives in flash flood so far.

Addressing a press conference here at Jammu, the Union Home Minister described the situation in many sectors as critical and assured the State Government of all help from the Centre. He said the Prime Minister while expressing sympathies with affected people has assured all help from the Union Government to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of crisis, adding that the Prime Minister has announced Rs. 2 lakh as ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of those who died and Rs. 50,000 to those who have received injuries in the flash floods.

The Union Home Minister said that due to bad weather he could not conduct the aerial survey in Srinagar, however, along with the Chief Minister he visited many inundated areas in Srinagar to get appraisal of the devastation caused by flood water and to assess the difficulties faced by people. He said that he conducted aerial survey of the Jammu region and described the situation in many areas including Akhnoor sector as critical.

The Union Home Minister informed that 6 helicopters have been sent to the State for assisting the State administration in its efforts to rescue and evacuate people stranded in various submerged areas.

While asking various organizations to extend their help to the State in this hour of crisis, the Home Minister added that the State Government should also gear up to face the scenario after the flood water recedes. He said precautionary measures should be taken to prevent spread of water borne disease and Health Advisories should be
issued to inform the people.

The Army has intensified ‘Mission Sahayata’ employing more than 110 Army columns and Engineer teams have rescued 13,000  lives trapped in flooded villages, isolated houses and  buildings in the inundated areas all over Jammu & Kashmir region. As the number of shelter less people is rising, Army has also providing tented accommodation to 3,000 people.
             
Major flood rescue operations started on  Sept 2, however, with increasing involvement, Mission Sahayata was launched to cover areas in entire Valley. Army troops were working against all odds, endangering their own lives.  

On Saturday, a column of Army operating at Kakapora of Pulwama District itself came under floods. While moving on a boat to place of safety, the boat carrying 11 personnel capsized and they got stranded. Till issuing of this release two soldiers were still stranded in the area.

Army Formations continue to proactively reach out to flood affected people to render all possible assistance.  Army helicopters are on standby and poor weather is restricting their full employment.         
 
The worst affected area was between Udhampur and Jammu. The total rainfall recorded last 3 days over Udhampur,Jammu and Srinagar has been 493.2 mm, 327.2 mm and 146.3 mm respectively. 

This calamity has left over 100 dead and many stranded in various parts of the state. HQ Western Air Command, IAF promptly responded to report by civil agencies, Army and BSF by rendering its services with Mi17IV, Mi17V5, Chetak & Cheetah Helicopter. Distress calls from stranded civilians and security personnel came from Kulgam, Rajouri, Punch, Kishanpur, Gagral, Bachalta, Thani, Baramula, Anantnag, Akhnoor, ganduchak, Hamirpur, Jammu and Border Observation Posts along International Border and LOC.

  Helicopters are operating from Srinagar, Udhampur, Jammu and Pathankot and all efforts are being made to evacuate as many souls as possible in spite of inclement weather and limited resources. Transport aircraft have been supporting rescue ops operating from Bhatinda,Chandigarh,Srinagar,Jammu and Awantipur.

 Rescue and relief operations by the IAF picked up tempo as the weather improved.  Mi-17 IV and Mi-17 V5 helicopters from Air Force Station Jammu availed every possible opportunity that weather provided to bring succor to the suffering inhabitants of the flood affected regions. The helicopters evacuated 401 personnel, flying over 13 sorties over inundated areas, negotiating marginal weather. The operations require high levels of skill, situational awareness and maturity to successfully accomplish the task. 29 BSF and 05 Army personnel were amongst those rescued during the day.
 
 The operations and weather over the affected area are closely monitored by the Command Staff at HQ WAC. The Task Force Commander (TFC) & AOC AF Stn Jammu, Air Commodore Prashant Patange VM has been directing & controlling the operations on ground from AF Station Jammu.