Over 20,000 evacuated in Jammu and Kashmir

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) Monday took stock of the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir as over 20,000 persons were rescued from different parts of the state.

A home ministry release said the NCMC meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, was informed that over 20,000 people have been rescued from various places by the army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

However, the defence ministry put the number of people evacuated by the army at 23,530 from different regions of the state.

The ministry release said nine transport airplanes, including IL-76, AN-32, C-130, and 29 helicopters, have been pressed into service. In addition, 14 aircraft have been kept on standby.

The release said 15 teams of NDRF and 200 columns of army were deployed in the state by Sunday.

"NDRF has got more than 244 boats which have been pressed into service in the valley. Requisite manpower, life jackets and life guards are available," the release said.

It said representatives from the ministries of power, communication, IT and home have reached Srinagar to enable the government to extend emergency support facility to the local administration.

Packets of biscuits, ready-to-eat food and drinking water bottles and sachets have been sent. The railways was transporting bottled water.

The release said 90 3G towers have started working and 10 VSAT (very small aperture terminal) systems are being airlifted to restore critical telecom towers. It said supplies were also being taken to Srinagar via Manali-Rohtang Pass.

A defence ministry release said Naval Marine Commandos were deployed and had rescued about 200 persons at Haigaon on the Srinagar-Sopore Highway.

The release said army personnel had distributed 4,000 blankets and 90 tents to victims of the worst floods to hit the state in half a century.

The Indian Air Force has rescued 1,245 people using helicopters and transport aircraft.

"So far, 140 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft and 155 tonnes of relief materials have been dropped," the statement said.