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Over 1,10,000 people rescued in flood-hit J&K so far

Last Updated 11 September 2014, 15:34 IST

More than 1,10,000 people have been rescued from the flood-ravaged parts of Jammu and Kashmir so far, as the relief operations launched by the armed forces entered the 10th day today.

"Over 1,10,000 persons have been rescued by the armed forces and NDRF from different parts of J&K in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the state till today," Defence PRO Col S D Goswami told PTI.

He said a third batch of Naval Marine Commandos with compressors, diving sets, satellite phones and other items arrived at Srinagar to support the rescue operations, 'Mission Sahayata'.

Eighty four transport aircrafts and helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into service, he said, adding thay Army has deployed around 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations.

Of them, 21,000 troops are deployed in the Srinagar region and 9,000 troops in the Jammu region, he said. So far 1,081 sorties have been undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of the armed forces, he said, adding that 1,411 tonnes of relief materials have been dropped by the Indian Air Force.

The Armed forces personnel are distributing water bottles and food packets on a large scale.
So far 2,24,000 litres of water, 31,500 food packets and over 375 tonne cooked food have been air-dropped and distributed in the flood-affected areas, he said.

As many as 8,200 blankets and 650 tents have been provided to the flood victims. 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating, Col Goswami said.

Four field hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people, he said, adding that till now, they have treated more than 21,500 patients.

More relief materials, including blankets, tents, water bottles and food packets are being airlifted from Hyderabad, Baroda and Delhi, he said.

To restore road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), including 5,700 personnel, have been pressed into service, he said.

As of now, they have restored the road connectivity from Batote to Kishtwar and Kishtwar to Sinthan Pass, he said.

Jammu-Poonch Road has been cleared for traffic. On the Jammu–Srinagar Highway, BRO personnel are trying hard to clear the road blocked by fresh landslide, he said.

Keeping in view the urgent requirement of boats for the rescue operations, the Army has deployed 90 more boats in Srinagar and adjoining areas, Col S D Goswami said.

A total of 224 boats of the Army and 148 inflatable boats of NDRF are involved in the rescue operations, he said.

Armed Forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu region, he said.
In Srinagar region, camps have been established at BB Cantt, Avantipur, Old Airfield, Sumbal, Chattargam and Jijamata Mandir, where thousands of rescued people are being sheltered. They are also being provided with food and other basic amenities, he said.

Goswami said 13 tonnes of water purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day has been transported to Srinagar today. Engineering stores, including suction and submersible pumps from Vishakhapatnam and Jodhpur, are also being sent to flood-affected areas, he said.

Communication equipment of the Department of Telecommunication, Army, BSNL and some private companies are also being sent to restore the communication systems in the state, he added.

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(Published 11 September 2014, 15:26 IST)

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