Army to intensify rescue operation as weather improves

With improvement in weather conditions, Army will intensify its rescue operation in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir while focusing first on Srinagar city and South Kashmir where a large number of people remain trapped in their houses without any basic amenities.
Noting that the troops were facing several challenges in the operation 'Megh Rahat', Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda today said they were trying to reach the people who were in the most precarious conditions as quickly as possible though they have received thousands of messages seeking help.
Talking to reporters at Udhampur-based headquarters, Hooda said that situation in Jammu was limping back to normalcy and roads leading to other areas around Jammu would be restored within next 48 hours.

"As I said for the next 48 hours, our focus remains on Srinagar and South Kashmir because there are still large number of people who are stranded and who are without any food and water.
"It's our idea to get them out as soon as possible. We will continue operation Megh Rahat till every one is pulled out of this situation," he said.
He also said that army has taken up repair of border fencing damaged in the worst floods in six decades as it apprehends that militants might take advantage of the situation to infiltrate into the state.

"They (militants) may come. So we have strengthened Army's presence in these areas. The repair work has immediately begun. We will do it very quickly," he said.

The massive floods in J-K have claimed over 150 lives, damaged infrastructure and left tens of thousands of people marooned.
Hooda assured the people that rescue operations will pick up as additional engineering teams and boats have arrived.
Asked about delay in relief and rescue operations in south Kashmir, he said they were affected by the inclement weather as the Valley was lashed by torrential rains for nearly five days.
He said, "Nobody thought it would rain incessantly for so long and the gushing water cut-off Army's boats in Srinagar and Banihal," a small town in Jammu division before entry to Kashmir.

The weather was so bad that no sortie could be taken till September 5, Hooda said.