Flood toll in Jammu region 153, could rise further

The death toll in the Jammu region in the devastating floods has reached 153 and is expected to rise further, while 23,000 marooned people have been rescued, a senior official said Thursday.

"At least 153 people have lost their lives. We have many missing people... this could take the toll to 200," Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu said at a media conference here,.

He said the rescued people have been housed in 83 relief camps.

Shantmanu also said that 2,000 houses have being damaged, 170 government buildings totally or partially damaged, 2,500 livestock has perished in the mountainous areas, in the deluge which has affected 1,600 of the 3,300 villages in the region.

However, this region collected 70 metric tonnes of food items and sent it to the Kashmir Valley, he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, and union Home Secretary Anil Goswami arrived in Srinagar with officials of various central ministries including health, communications, petroleum, surface transport, and railways to ascertain the damage.

Residents of Srinagar said mobile connectivity had still not been restored in the summer capital, and they could only get a connection in Ganderbal district, nearly 40 km away.