Jammu and Kashmir flood situation worsens, death toll mounts to 100

The flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir continued to worsen on Saturday with the death toll mounting to 100 while rescuers struggled to evacuate thousands of people to safety as major rivers and streams were in spate due to incessant rains.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take stock of the flood situation soon after he arrived this morning in Srinagar but could not undertake an aerial survey due to inclement weather.

In Jammu region, 11 more deaths were reported today, including seven in two house collapse incidents in Udhampur. Four more bodies were recovered from Thursday's bus mishap in which 63 members of marriage party were washed away in Rajouri district, SSP Rajouri Mubasir Latiffe said adding a total of 29 bodies have been recovered so far.

"The situation is very bad. It is becoming more critical as rains have not stopped making the rescue and relief operation difficult," officials said.

At least nine Army personnel including an officer were today trapped in strong water current as their boat capsized during a rescue operation in Pulwama district, where River Jhelum has breached embankment prompting authorities to issue a red alert for people living in low lying areas of south Srinagar.

"We have launched an operation to rescue the missing personnel," an army official said, adding, "Despite facing dangers to personal safety, the army personnel are out there to provide relief to the civilian population of Kashmir."

With today's deaths, a total of 100 people have died in the state hit by floods and land slides due to incessant rains since Wednesday. While 89 people have been killed in Jammu, 11 have died in the Kashmir Valley so far.

In Jammu, authorities have closed four bridges connecting two parts of city after they suffered damage due to River Tawi flowing above the danger mark.

"The situation is very bad. It is becoming more critical as rains have not stopped making the rescue and relief operation difficult," officials said.

As many as 7000 people were rescued in various areas in Jammu by teams of Army and IAF teams till now with 85 columns (75-100 personnel each) of troops and Air Force helicopters taking part in the operations in the state.

Several rivers have been flowing above the danger mark and most parts of south Kashmir, including Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam districts have been submerged.

"Operation Megh Rahat in Jammu and Operation Sahayata launched by Army in Jammu and Kashmir regions has moved on to next phase where Army plans extensive deployment in support of flood relief," Defence Spokesman Col S D Goswami said. The deployment of helicopters, special divers, heavy engineering machinery and more personnel on ground will be the focus of army to assist locals in critical situations, that may arise due to heavy rains that are lashing the region, the spokesman said.

Saturday 06 September 2014

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