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Centre promises full support

Last Updated 31 March 2015, 02:49 IST

Assuring full support to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to tackle the flood-like situation due to increasing water levels in the Jhelum, the Centre on Monday reviewed measures taken to ensure food and fuel-stock and adequate relief measures to help the affected.

Eight National Disaster Response Force teams are being rushed to Kashmir to assist the state government in relief operations.

The rain started on March 28 and the situation is likely to become grim in view of the prediction of continuous rain by the Met Department in the next 3 to 4 days, though the rain has stopped since Monday morning, officials said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh discussed with J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed over telephone the prevailing scenario in the state. Singh assured full Central assistance to tackle the situation.

During the talk, Sayeed briefed the home minister about the present situation in the Kashmir Valley. Singh told the chief minister that relief materials are being airlifted to the Valley in shortest possible time to help the state government in rescue and relief operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also rushed Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to Kashmir for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage.

A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajith Seth also took stock of the situation and reviewed the arrangements made or required to be made to deal with the situation. The meeting was attended by secretaries and senior officers.

Through video conferencing, J&K Chief Secretary Iqbal Khandey gave a brief account of the ground situation indicating that the Jhelum is flowing above the danger mark at certain places and as a result, flood alert has been issued.

“The state government is geared up to deal with the situation and all steps have been taken to safeguard life and property from the flood waters. They have adequate sand bags and riverbank reinforcement material. As a precautionary measure, adequate quantities of rice, potable water and medical supplies are being stocked at various locations.  There is no shortage of various types of fuel as there is a minimum stock level of all varieties of fuel for 10 days,” Khandey said.

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(Published 31 March 2015, 02:49 IST)

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