Congress urges PM to declare Kashmir floods national calamity

The Congress Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the floods in Jammu and Kashmir a national calamity as party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the situation.

Talking to the prime minister over phone from Srinagar, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad also urged him to launch rescue operations with the help of the armed forces as was done during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, a statement said.

Sonia Gandhi expressed "grave concern" towards the calamitous situation arising out of floods, it said.

It added that she has appealed to the government and authorities concerned to "ensure every effort at prevention, relief and rehabilitation".

"She is in constant touch with state Congress leaders," it said.

She also conveyed gratitude to the armed and paramilitary forces who have been toiling hard to provide relief and succour to the people in the affected areas.

Rahul Gandhi, while expressing condolence to the families of the deceased, also expressed gratitude to the armed forces.

"I am grateful to the brave men and women of our armed forces and paramilitary forces who are risking their own lives to provide relief to the people. I appeal to the authorities to ensure that relief and rescue operations reach those in need, swiftly. My prayers are with the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Azad, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir has sought the personal attention of the prime minister "in view of the very grave and grim situation prevailing in the entire state" and requested him to immediately place funds at the disposal of the state government so that rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations are carried out in an effective and co-ordinated manner.

While appreciating the role of the armed forces in coming to the support of state governments in disaster situations like the current one, Azad sought immediate pressing into service of the air force and the army as was done during last year's Uttarakhand disaster so stranded people are shifted to safer places efficiently and effectively.

The prime minister assured Azad of all possible help to the state.