Rescue operations underway in flood-hit Sopore

Rescue operations continue in full swing in Sopore town of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Baramulla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Qayoom said, "Around 22 villages have been affected. We started the rescue operations from yesterday and have deployed boats and rescued people. In Bandipore alone, we relocated 47 houses, and today morning also we relocated 20 houses. The rescue operations are still continuing."

"It was raining heavily for the past two-three days, due to which these floods have occurred. The embankments have broken but fortunately there have been no casualties. The crops have suffered a major loss and fruits and vegetables have been destroyed by the floods," said Nissar Ahmad, a local resident.

Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that seeing the current situation of rains and floods in the state, their immediate focus was the rescue of people affected and the prevention of loss of life. He also said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured any sort of required assistance.

Rajnath Singh had already moved two teams of the NDRF to the flood-affected areas of Jammu . After a telephonic conversation with Abdullah, Rajnath Singh directed two NDRF teams to be air-lifted from Bhatinda, while two more will be moved during the day for rescue operations.

Incessant rains have also resulted in mud slides, flash floods and rising of water level in all rivers of Jammu and Kashmir. Flood alerts have been declared in Reasi as the Chenab river has crossed the danger mark

The rescue operations are also on in full swing in the floods affected regions of Naoshera, Rajouri, Thanamandi and Poonch districts of the state.

Authorities have declared a disaster alert after two days of heavy rain hit villages across the Kashmir valley, causing the worst flooding in two decades. Rajnath Singh is scheduled to meet Omar Abdullah tomorrow in Srinagar and will be travelling to Jammu as well.