Jammu and Kashmir flood waters receding; lakhs still await help

Flood waters receded further in Kashmir Valley enabling rescue teams to evacuate another 2000 stranded people and provide crucial supplies for people desperately waiting for help in submerged areas.

Military teams continued rescue efforts overnight, evacuating 807 people from Srinagar alone.

A total of 82,000 people have been pulled out in a continuing multi-agency mammoth operation even as an estimated five to six lakh people still waited for help after floods ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.

Food and other relief material was also provided for those stranded, officials said, adding that a total of 807 tonne relief material has been despatched so far.

"The situation has improved quite significantly in all areas of west Srinagar. In Srinagar, the water level has gone down from its peak level by about six feet but there is still substantive flooding in certain areas within the town itself," Lt Gen D S Hooda said.

"In south Kashmir, the water has receded upto Awantipora.

So roads are a little better in that area. So there is no crisis. We are still looking at rescue efforts which are going on in Srinagar town and that continues unabated," he said.

With many people reluctant to leave their homes, the Army will be concentrating on providing them food and water.

"What we are seeing now is that water level is going down in certain areas but people are reluctant to leave their houses and therefore from today and tomorrow what we are going to focus is apart from rescue operations from some areas, we are also going to be sending food, water etc. and some medical supplies to people who want to stay at home," the senior Army officer said.