We will reach you, Omar Abdullah tells flood victims

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday promised the flood-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir that help will reach them soon and asked them not to panic. The state is reeling under the worst floods in six decades.

"This is an unprecedented situation and we are doing the best we can under the circumstances. Please don't panic, we will reach you, I promise," the chief minister wrote on his Twitter account.

He said his primary focus was to save the lives of the people affected by the floods.

He said he has asked the cabinet secretary to direct the air force to use helicopters to evacuate people.

"I've spoken to the cabinet secretary heading the crisis management team in Delhi to direct air-lifting of boats to Srinagar urgently via NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and the army," Abdullah said.

He said that he has been promised by the cabinet secretary that 40-50 boats would be reaching Srinagar in a few hours.

"The cabinet secretary has promised me that 40-50 boats would be reaching Srinagar within a few hours. These boats are being resourced from Patna, Gandhinagar and Ghaziabad," he said.

"Along with the boats, rescue teams, floodlights, search lights etc. are also being sent. Our aim is that rescue operations should continue in the night as well," Abdullah said.

"...We are doing our best to reach all asap (as soon as possible). Please stay on the upper floors and wait for help to come," he told the people on Twitter.

Over 100 people have died in floods in the state due to incessant rainfall during the week.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the grim situation Saturday and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the state Sunday.

--Indo-Asian news Service

abh-shw/pr/vt