The toll in Jammu and Kashmir floods increased to 107 and around 3,000 villages were affected in the worst floods the state has seen in nearly six decades. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along MoS, PMO, Jitendra Singh on Saturday reviewed the situation arising of floods in the state during his day long visit.
"Over 107 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to flash-floods, landslides and house collapses," Singh told reporters here. As many as 2,500 villages have been affected by the floods and 450 villages have marooned, Singh said, adding, large number of houses have been destroyed and road and bridges have been damaged.
He said that 8 teams of NDRF and 6 helicopters of IAF have been pressed in rescue and relief operations and they are doing a commendable job. The home minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his sympathy with people here and announced that Rs 2 lakh exgratia amount would be given to each of next of kins of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
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.
As many as 9,000 people were rescued in various areas in Jammu by teams of Army and IAF teams till now with 100 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 SD Goswami said.
The employment of helicopters, special divers, heavy engineering machinery and more boot on ground will be the focus of Army and assist the locals in critical situations, that may arise due to heavy rains that are lashing the region, he said.
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