Rescue operations underway in Jammu and Kashmir (Agence France Presse)
More than 1,84,000 people have been so far rescued by the armed forces and NDRF from different parts of the flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, a statement issued by the Ministry of defence said today.
For the availability of potable water to the victims, 13 tonnes of water-purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day have already reached Srinagar. Heavy duty pumps and generator sets are also being air lifted to the state.
"Engineering stores, including suction pumps from Vishakhapatnam, have reached the flood-affected areas. More heavy duty pumps are being airlifted from Jodhpur and Raipur today. Sewage pumps from Delhi have also been dispatched to the Valley. Thirty generator sets of 3 to 5 KVA capacity have also been sent to Srinagar to augment continuous power supply in
relief camps and field hospitals. Additional communication equipment of BSNL are being dispatched to restore the communication systems in the state," the statement said.
Around 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 ailing people.
"Till now, they have treated around 51,476 patients. Two additional fully-equipped field hospitals with laboratory testing equipment facility have also been established in Srinagar. 8,200 blankets and 1,392 tents were provided to the flood victims. More relief materials, including blankets and tents, water bottles from IRCTC and food packets are being airlifted from Patna, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Amritsar," the statement added.
The Ministry added that 84 transport aircrafts and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps are continuing with their efforts in rescue and relief operation.
The army has deployed around 30,000 troops for the operations.
More than 5,08,000 litres of water, 3,10,000 food packets and over 1,054 tonnes cooked food have already been airdropped and distributed in the flood-affected areas, the statement said. "So far, 2,253 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircrafts of the armed forces and 3,017 tonnes of relief materials have been dropped by the Indian Air Force. A total
of 224 boats of Army and NDRF's 148 inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operation," the statement said.
The armed forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu regions. In Srinagar region, camps have been 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.
To restore the road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation, which comprises 5,700 personnel, have been deployed in Srinagar, Rajouri and Akhnoor. As of
now, they have restored the road connectivity from Batote to Anantnag and Srinagar to Sonamarg. The Srinagar-Baramulla road is now open for light vehicles.
On the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, BRO personnel have cleared the road up to 172 kilometres (Ramsu). Work is in progress to clear fresh landslides in areas that were cleared yesterday on this road, the statement said.