Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday lauded the efforts of the Indian Army, the NDRF and the Air Force in the rescue and relief operations in flood battered Jammu and Kashmir.
He informed that around one lakh people have been rescued so far in the flood-hit state.
"Around one lakh people have been rescued in Jammu and Kashmir by the joint operations of Indian Army, Air Force and NDRF," he told a press conference here.
"Around 400 villages have been submerged very deeply," he added while talking about the loss because of the floods.
"People in large numbers are stuck in Srinagar. So, to give you any figures is not possible. However, I can only give you the figures of people rescued," said Singh.
The Home Minister further said the Centre's priority is to provide relief and assistance to the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The operations are being closely monitored and reviewed," he added.
Over 1,25,000 people have been so far rescued by the Armed Forces and NDRF from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood ravaged State.
Water purifying plants, chlorine tablets and fuel is being transported to the valley.
Eighty nine transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into service. The Army has deployed around 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations, in which 21,000 troops are deployed in Srinagar region and 9,000 troops in Jammu region.
The armed forces personnel are also distributing water bottles and food packets on a large scale. So far 2,98,000 litres of water, 31,500 food packets and over 533 tonnes cooked food have already been air dropped and distributed in the affected areas.
8,200 blankets and 1000 tents were provided to the flood victims and 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating in full swing.
Four field hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people. Till now, they have treated more than 21,500 patients. One more fully equipped field hospital from Bathinda is on its way to Srinagar.
By now, 19 tonnes medicines and other health care materials have also being transported from Delhi.
More relief materials including blankets, water bottles and food packets are being airlifted from Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Patna, Amritsar and Chandigarh.
So far, 1379 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of armed forces. 1,799 tonnes of relief materials were dropped by the Indian Air Force. A third batch of Naval Marine Commandos with Rubberised Inflatable Craft (Geminis), Out Board Motors (OBMs), Compressors, Diving sets and satellite phones arrived at Srinagar, yesterday to support the rescue operations," said a Defence Ministry release.
The Indian Army has deployed 90 more boats in Srinagar and adjoining areas making it a total of 224 boats of army and 148 NDRF's inflatable boats that are actively involved in the rescue operation.
The armed forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu region where the victims are being provided with food and other basic amenities.
Thirteen tonnes of water purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day has already reached Srinagar. Two water purification plants and seven lakhs chlorine tablets are being sent today from Delhi.
Engineering stores including suction pumps from Vishakhapatnam are also being sent to the flood-affected area. Communication equipment of Department of Telecommunication, the army, BSNL and some of private companies have been dispatched to restore the communication systems in the State.
To meet the immediate energy requirement, 22,000 litres of fuel from Ambala have been transported to the valley.
To restore the road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation, which include 5700 personnel, have been pressed into service.
