Flood situation grim in J-K; Army called for rescue efforts

20 persons have died while another 45 are feared dead, due to the floods

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Flood situation today worsened in Kashmir Valley where River Jhelum was flowing above the danger mark even as the Army and NDRF have been called in to assist the administration in relief and rescue efforts in the state where 20 persons have died while another 45 are feared dead.

Most parts of south Kashmir, including Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam district have been submerged and the water level in Rambiara stream in Shopian district was also rising very fast, threatening to inundate the only south Kashmir district not affected by floods so far, officials said.

"Army has been asked to assist in the relief and rescue operations in submerged areas of south Kashmir and Srinagar city while six companies of NDRF will be arriving here to assist in the operations today," Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Rohit Kansal told PTI.

He said the NDRF teams will be arriving from Bhatinda in Punjab but bad weather has not allowed the flight to take off so far. "We are hopeful that the weather will improve around afternoon and the aircraft will be able to land," the official said.

Heavy rains over the past 72 hours in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in floods in many areas of the state which has so far left 20 persons dead while 45 others are feared dead after a bus carrying them was washed away in Rajouri district yesterday.

The flood situation in Kashmir Valley has worsened since yesterday as River Jhelum was flowing at 33 feet at Sangam in Anantnag district, 12 feet above the danger mark, officials said.

Jhelum in Srinagar is flowing at 22.40 feet, 4.40 feet above danger mark, as many areas in the summer capital of the state have been submerged.

Doodh Ganga stream, which flows through southern part of the city, has breached the embankments at several places, flooding the residential areas.

People in many areas have either shifted out of the submerged areas or moved to the first floor of their homes, the officials said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah supervised the rescue and relief operation till late last night at Barzulla and adjacent areas to evacuate people from submerged areas.