IAF distributes relief funds in flood-hit areas of J-K

Relief funds were distributed by the Indian Air Force among the people affected in the flood-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Air Marshall SS Soman said that a plan has already been chalked out along with the civil administration to carry out the rescue operations.

"We have doubled our efforts due to improvement in weather but the destruction is wide spread. We are carrying out two types of operation. One is of dropping relief materials and the second is to evacuate people who are stuck due to the floods. We have chalked out a plan along with the civil administration and will work according to that," said Soman.

Earlier today, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) DS Hooda said that so far, around 20,000 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir, while 60 medical teams have been deployed across the state.

Flash floods have thrown normal life out of gear in Jammu and Kashmir. People in the flood-affected areas of Poonch are being provided with healthcare and other relief materials by the IAF.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday for a first-hand assessment of the situation arising out of incessant rain and floods in the state, announced an extra Rs 1,000 crore on top of the earlier announced Rs 1,100 crores as special assistance for rehabilitation, while sharing the pain and anguish of the people of the state.

The Prime Minister also offered his help to Pakistan to assist in the relief work in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).