Massive rescue operations on in flood-hit areas of Kashmir, lakhs still stranded(Update:Floods)

Lakhs of people continue to be stranded in various parts of the flood and landslide ravaged state of Jammu and Kashmir, even as personnel of the army, air force and navy, besides other allied natural calamity units are battling against time to restore normalcy to the region.

Indian Air Force helicopters nd transport aircraft have undertaken non-stop sorties throughout the night to carry men and relief material to submerged parts of the state.

The focus has reportedly shifted to the inundated city of Srinagar and the south Kashmir belt, where an estimated four lakh people are believed to be trapped by flood waters, which have claimed nearly 200 lives so far.

Two more units of the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force have been reportedly airdropped in Pancheri in Udhampur District, where 30 people are missing after a landslide hit the area.

It is being reported that the ituation in other parts of Jammu has stabilized and the focus is now on providing relief material on the ground.

According to official sources, 30 sorties of IL-76 and AN 32 were undertaken to Srinagar overnight to carry men and relief material, boats cutters and other equipment besides huge quantity of medicines and water bottles.

Lt.Gen. D.S. Hooda, General-Officer-Commanding of the Army's Northern Command, had said on Monday that the focus will be now on Srinagar.

The heavy floods triggered by torrential rains have snapped valley's telecommunication links with the rest of the country.

BSNL has launched an operation on a war-footing with Army and IAF to restore mobile services through satellite network and the telecom network is expected to be partially restored today, officials said.

To provide relief to the displaced, 68 camps have been set up in Jammu.

Seven helicopters have been pressed to ferry relief material to Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Mahore, Doda, Kishtwar belts, officials said.

The Centre has rushed more National Disaster Response Forces(NDRF) teams equipped with boats and other flood relief equipment to Kashmir Valley. Naval commandos have also been deployed for the first time.

Army, Air Force, NDRF and state agencies have so far rescued more than 25,000 people and lodged them in higher places in the valley.

Boats have been pressed into service in many flooded parts to rescue residents huddled on rooftops and upper floors of their houses.