Army, Air Force doing their best to evacuate people from flood-hit areas: Lt. Gen. K H Singh

General Officer Commanding of Nagrota-based 16 Corps, Lieutenant General K H Singh, on Sunday said that the personnel of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are doing everything possible to help those stranded in flood- hit regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

"As far as the situation is concerned, it is quiet grim. There is extensive amount of flooding all over in the Tapi and Chenab rivers. In certain places, the tributaries of both rivers have got mixed up. There are people who are struck on village roofs and various other places," Lieutenant General Singh said.

"The Indian Air Force is doing its best. As you may be aware right from yesterday, our helicopters are doing shuttles in spite of rain and low visibility. We are taking a cautious call on launching our helicopters," he added.

Lieutenant General Singh further said that they have evacuated more than 230 persons from various places till now."This does not include the help that we are giving to BSF and Army BOPs which are at the borders. Our efforts are continuing. At the moment, four helicopters are constantly air- borne," he added.

The General Officer Commanding of Nagrota-based 16 Corps further said that more helicopters will be pressed into service as the weather improves.

"My meteorological officer tells me that the weather will slowly improve. As the weather keeps improving, more and more helicopters will be pressed into service. We have evacuated ladies, children and gents and the effort will only continue with vigor," Lieutenant General Singh said.

"As far as the Indian Air Force is concerned, we are taking this as a big challenge and every possible effort is being done to help the people who are in difficulty," he added.

Giving the figure of people rescued till now, Lieutenant General Singh, "3000 people were evacuated and given shelter and other basic facilities. 52 Bodies till now have been recovered by Army. 2000 troops have been deployed by Army for the rescue and relief operations."

"Some Posts were flooded and 40 jawans were evacuated from the LOC. 4000 blankets and 1000 tents have been given to the civil administration. 10 Bunkers on the Indian side have been damaged partially," he added.