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Close to half a million people are still stranded in Jammu and Kashmir due to the devastating floods that have disrupted most transport and communications lines in the state.
The Indian armed forces, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have so far rescued over 76,000 people affected by the worst floods in J&K almost six decades.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday assured the flood-affected people of the state of all help from the Centre to tide over the crisis.
Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said there is no need to panic and promised every help to the relatives and kin of the people stranded in the flood-hit areas of J&K.
In an official release, Singh, the MP from Udhampur constituency of J&K, said that over 76,500 people have been rescued so far by the armed forces and the NDRF.
The remaining affected and stranded persons are also in the process of being evacuated, he said.
Singh lauded the role of the Army, Air Force and paramilitary forces, including BSF personnel, in the rescue and relief operations. The Air Force and Army have pressed nearly 80 aircraft and helicopters into the effort, he said.
Singh said he had taken up the issue of the need for more relief material with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The Army alone has distributed 1,50,000 litres of water to the flood-affected while more water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and Delhi, he added.
Singh said he was in touch with the state administration and also maintaining regular contact with the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts.
He cited the break down of communication and telephone links as a major hassle and hoped these would be restored in the next one or two days. Rescue teams are using satellite phones for communication, he said.
Heavy rainfall led to floods in many areas of J&K, leaving nearly 200 people dead and rendering thousands homeless.
