Over 96,000 rescued in flood-ravaged Kashmir

More than 96,000 people have been rescued so far from various parts of flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir by the armed forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the defence ministry said Thursday.

The army, in another statement issued here, said efforts have been "intensified" on the 10th day of rescue operations with more than 220 columns being involved in the effort.

Eighty four transport aircraft and helicopters of the air force and the Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into service, said a statement issued by the ministry.

The army has deployed around 30,000 soldiers for rescue and relief operations - 21,000 soldiers in Srinagar region and 9,000 in Jammu region.

In order to provide speedy medical aid to the affected people, 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are operating in full swing.

"Till now, they have treated more than 21,500 patients," the statement said.

The armed forces personnel are also distributing water bottles and food packets.

More relief material, including blankets and tents, water bottles and food packets, are being airlifted from Hyderabad, Vadodara, Amritsar, Ambala and Delhi, the defence ministry said.

It said that so far, 930 sorties have been undertaken by helicopters and aircraft of the armed forces.

A total of 1,237 tonnes of relief material has been dropped for the marooned people by the air force.

Keeping in view the urgent requirements for the rescue operation, the army has deployed 90 more boats in Srinagar and adjoining areas.

The armed forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu regions.

To restore road connectivity, five task forces of the Border Roads Organisation, which include 5,700 personnel, have been pressed into service.

Meanwhile, a fresh landslide reported near Ramban Thursday hampered the reopening of the road to the Kashmir valley.

"It is expected that the road till Srinagar should be opened in a week's time. Specialised Army Engineer and Communication detachments and equipment are being airlifted from Jammu, Udhampur and other locations of the country to facilitate restoration of water supply, telecommunication and bridge construction in the valley," the army statement said.