Jay Panda for extending moral, logistical support to J-K to tide over floods

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Jay Panda on Monday called for extending all moral and logistical support to the flood-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir in order to tide over the unprecedented crisis.

"It is an unprecedented situation such a large flood in an area of the country where they are not used to it. More than 150 deaths, lot of relief and rescue efforts are going on. I think we have to provide all moral support and any other logistical support that we can to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he told ANI here.

Panda also spoke about the efforts, which are presently underway to rescue those from Odisha who have been trapped in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Even people from other parts of the country like from Odisha are stranded there and some of us are co-coordinating with the authorities there so that they are rescued," he added.

More than 150 people have lost their lives and scores have been marooned in the floods that have hit the state in nearly six decades.

The flood waters from major rivers and streams have damaged many buildings, including hospitals, and snapped road and communication links, cutting off many areas. Communication system has been disrupted. The current flood situation has forced the state government to order closure of all schools till Friday.

While the situation eased a little in Jammu, large areas in Kashmir were enveloped in flood waters following incessant rains.

The Army Cantonment, Civil Secretariat and the High Court in Srinagar have been inundated. Transmission at Radio Kashmir Srinagar has also stopped.

The Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel have stepped up relief and rescue efforts, with the weather showing some signs of improvement.

The Indian Air Force has pressed 29 planes and helicopters into service, set up a disaster monitoring cell and alerted all its bases to a high state of readiness.

Seventy boats and five teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been sent for the rescue and relief operations.

Over 13,000 people have been rescued by the personnel of Indian Army and the IAF from various areas so far.