India stands with people of J-K: Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir was very worrisome, and added that the entire nation and the government was with the people of the state in this hour of crisis.

"The situation is very worrisome. My sympathies are with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The entire nation and the government is with them," he told ANI here.

Prasad said that his ministry is coordinating with the Cabinet Secretariat in this matter.

"The exchanges of all the mobile service providers in Srinagar including the BSNL is flooded with water. This morning, I have sent two senior officers of the Communication Department to Srinagar to find an alternative mechanism so that the communication in the region is restored," he added.

Prasad further said that the situation in Jammu is marginally better as compared to the Kashmir Valley.

"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister visited the state and have announced a relief package. With the Army, the Air force and the other departments of the government doing their best I am confident that we will be able to restore the situation to normalcy soon," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier on Sunday visited Jammu and Kashmir for a first-hand assessment of the situation arising out of incessant rain and floods in the state.

In view of the seriousness of the situation, the Prime Minister held a crisis review meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and other senior officials.

He announced an additional 1,000 crore rupees as special assistance for flood relief and rehabilitation. The Prime Minister also called upon other states to pitch in with relief assistance in whatever way they could.

Prime Minister Modi also offered all possible assistance to Pakistan for carrying out relief operations in the flood-ravaged Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.