Rijiju assures Centre's support to flood-hit J-K

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday assured the Centre's complete support to the Jammu and Kashmir Government, which declared a flood situation as the Jhelum river crossed the danger mark in Srinagar following incessant rains.

"We will ensure that whatever is required from the Central Government in terms of coordination, material support, financial support, manpower, everything will reach on time. We have instructed that whatever is available with us should reach the valley immediately," Rijiju said.

"Our NDRF teams have reached there. Our Central Armed Forces are already there to provide necessary help. It is a very unseasonal thing that is happening in Kashmir, it's sad that it is happening there again," he added.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir Government and closely monitoring the situation of increasing water levels in Jhelum river at Srinagar. No breach of embankment has been reported.

However, as a precautionary measure, to assist the state government authorities, two teams of NDRF have been deputed and another four teams have been kept stand-by.

The state government has been asked to indicate the assistance required by them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rushed Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to Kashmir for on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation and to coordinate with state authorities for whatever help is required.

Naqvi has been tasked to make assessment about the flood situation and coordinate with the state government.

Meanwhile, the Jhelum river today crossed the danger level in Srinagar and Sangam area of South Kashmir with heavy rains lashing most parts of the state which sounded an alert asking people to move to safer places.

There have been no reports of loss of life. The incident has created panic among the people about possibility of fresh floods in the valley.

The rainfall has also forced closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to landslides at some places.

The Kashmir Valley has been witnessing heavy rainfall since Saturday, leading to sudden surge in water level of rivers, streams and rivulets.