Flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir unprecedented: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the flood situation in the state was "unprecedented" and asked people not to panic, promising that the government would come to their rescue as soon as possible.

"This is an unprecedented situation and we are doing the best we can under the circumstances. Please do not panic, we will reach you, I promise," he said on Twitter.

Around 25 boats flown in to Awantipura air base for South Kashmir rescue ops and are being sent to the affected areas

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 7, 2014

50 more boats are on the way and will be launched as soon as they arrive

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 7, 2014

Many of you have tweeted for help today. We are trying our best.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) September 7, 2014

Omar asked the people, who were sending distress calls to him on the micro-blogging site, to stay in the upper storeys of the buildings and wait for the help to come.

"All of you tweeting for help/rescue, we are doing our best to reach all ASAP. Please stay in the upper floors and wait for the help to come," he said.

The Chief Minister said he had spoken to the Union Cabinet Secretary to direct the air force to use helicopters to evacuate people from the areas that have been submerged.

"I have spoken to cabinet secretary heading crisis management team in Delhi to direct airlifting of boats to Srinagar urgently via NDMC and army, being done," Omar tweeted.

"Also asked cabinet secretary to direct air force to use helicopters to evacuate people mostly in danger, copters are on standby and will be used," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under worst floods in nearly six decades with 138 people dead and thousands displaced.