Narendra Modi asks officials to ramp up relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ON Wednesday directed officials to provide total support to the Jammu and Kashmir government to enable it ramp-up rescue and relief operations following massive floods in the state and he stressed on the need to quickly reach essential commodities to the affected people.

Chairing a high-level emergency meeting to review relief operations in the state late this evening, Modi emphasised that immediate attention be given to providing basic necessities like food and water to people severely affected by the calamity.

The Prime Minister directed that top priority be given to provision of essential commodities to affected people in Srinagar town.

He also directed the Home Ministry to immediately depute senior officers from Delhi and other states to coordinate the relief operations with local administration in Srinagar, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Modi said there is a need for a massive effort to ensure basic hygiene and sanitation in the water-logged areas of Srinagar.

The Prime Minister was informed that the process of restoration of telecommunication links has begun, with about 8000 landlines being activated in Srinagar. Mobile services have also been partially restored through service provider Aircel.

The Prime Minister directed officials to coordinate the relief efforts of voluntary organisations as well.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretaries of the central ministries and officials from the Defence forces.

A total of 76,000 people have been rescued so far by the Armed Forces and NDRF. Arrangements are being made for provision of food, water and essential medicines, the statement said.

The Army has deployed more than 30,000 troops in the relief operations while the IAF has pressed 80 aircraft in action including the C-17 transport aircraft along with helicopters.