Man crosses over flood waters with the use of a rope in Srinagar on September 9, 2014 (Agence France-Presse photo)
About four lakh people are still believed to be trapped in flood-ravaged Srinagar and south Kashmir and mammoth multi-agency rescue efforts are focused there today. Close to 200 people have died in the state's worst floods in 60 years.
Here are the latest developments:
With the weather clearing, 61 Air Force choppers and transport aircraft have made non-stop sorties through the night and this morning to carry men, equipment like boats and cutters, and relief material, including medicines and bottled water. (J&K Floods: Here's How You Can Help)
The floods have snapped the Valley's telecommunication links with the rest of the country. The state-run BSNL is taking the help of the Army and Air Force to restore mobile services through satellite network and the telecom network is expected to be partially restored today, officials said.
The Army said the J&K national highway, which links the valley to the rest of the country will take about four to five days to open again. The 300-km-long national highway has been closed to vehicular traffic for five days because of landslides and floods. The Srinagar-Leh highway was opened today. (Kashmir Floods: Post Your Message Here)
The Army said 10 to 15 people are being brought out in every round that a rescue boat makes into inundated areas where people are trapped in their homes and other buildings. Each boat is making 50 to 60 rounds a day. "We will move out only after rescuing everybody," Army Chief Gen Dalbir Suhag said.
The Army has also set up medical camps and said their doctors are treating 200-300 people every day. "We have ambulances and surgeons. District hospitals and NGOs are also working with us," said an officer.(Kashmir Floods: SOS From Stranded People)
Seven helicopters have been pressed to ferry relief material to Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Mahore, Doda, Kishtwar belts, officials said. Naval commandos have also been deployed for the first time.
The Army has deployed 215 columns, of which 130 columns are deployed in the Srinagar region and 85 in the Jammu region. The Army has distributed 42,000 litres of drinking water, 7,200 blankets, 600 kg of biscuit, 7 tonne baby food and 1000 food packets in the flood-affected areas, the government said today.
Two units of the Army and National Disaster Response Force teams have been airdropped in Pancheri, Udhampur, where 30 people are missing after a landslide hit the area. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, but the operation to locate those in Udhampur is very tough said officials.
However, the situation in the Jammu region has stabilised and the focus is now on providing relief material on the ground, officials said. 68 relief camps have been set up in Jammu
The prime ministers of India and Pakistan have offered to help each other in efforts to alleviate the flood havoc in Kashmir. Nearly 200 people have been killed in floods and rain-related incidents in Pakistan.
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