Over 2.26 lakh people rescued in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir so far

Over 2.26 lakh people have been rescued in Jammu and Kashmir so far as the rescue and relief operations in the flood-ravaged state entered the 14th day on Monday.

"Armed Forces and NDRF have so far rescued over 2,26,000 persons from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations," Defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami said on Monday

Of these, 1.40 lakh people have been rescued by Army alone as the rescue and relief operations have entered 14th day, Goswami said. Armed Forces had launched Mission Rahat in Jammu region while in Kashmir region Mission Sahayata was launched for rescue and relief operations.

Eighty transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps are continuing their efforts in rescue and relief operations, he said.

Army has deployed around 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations, he said, adding, more than 5,08,000 litres of water and over 1,054 tonnes of food packets and cooked food have already been distributed in the flood-hit areas.

Over 33,000 blankets are being taken to the flood-affected areas today, which were donated by Ministry of Textile, Red Cross Society and the governments of Jharkhand and Punjab. Earlier 8,200 blankets and 1,572 tents were provided to the flood victims, he said.

So far, 2,451 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Armed Forces and 3,435 tonnes of relief materials have been dropped by the Indian Air Force, he said. A total of 224 boats of Army and 148 NDRF's inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operations, Goswami said.