227 from Kerala stranded in Srinagar

As many as 227 people from Kerala, who had gone for a vacation in Jammu and Kashmir, are now stranded in flood-ravaged Srinagar, officials said here Monday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office said in a press release Monday night that 18 people have returned safely.

It said all details have been given to the Jammu and Kashmir government, the National Disaster Response Force, the control room of the defence and home ministries as well as the principal relief commissioner of the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Officials in Kerala were constantly in touch with the authorities, hotel staff and travel agents in Kashmir for the safe evacuation of each and every person, the statement said.

Chandy has directed his government officials in Delhi to open a round-the-clock control room at the Kerala House.

Civil Aviation Secretary V. Somasundaram has given directions to Air India so that 80 people from Kerala will fly to Delhi from Srinagar on two Air India flights Monday.

The remaining people will be leaving Srinagar Wednesday, Chandy's office said.

Sources said here that among those stranded include a judge at the Lokayukta court in Thiruvananthapuram, principal of a medical college and an actress.