Army launches rescue mission in Kashmir

The army in Kashmir has launched a massive rescue mission 'Sahayta' to evacuate people from flood-affected areas to safer places.

A large number of people have already been taken to safety and nonstop effort is being made to extricate people caught in critical conditions.

More than 50 columns across the valley have been launched along with engineer boats. Their teams have rescued so far more than 1500 people.

Due to unprecedented rainfall in the past 72 hours there has been heavy inundation of low lying areas astride the Jhelum and others rivers in Kashmir Valley.

The floods and landslides in have taken the total death toll to at least 90, with around 70 people left dead on Friday.

Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam districts in south Kashmir have been the worst hit due to the disaster.

The army has rescued approximately 400 people from Bemina, Panderthan and Lasjan.

Approximately 300 civilians have been evacuated from areas around Sopore and Pattan.

The army has also rescued 800 people from all across the area of Pampore, Kakpur, Khanabal, Anantnag and Kulgam.