Flood situation in J&K unprecedented: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the flood situation in the state was "unprecedented" and asked people not to panic, promising that the government would come to their rescue as soon as possible.

"This is an unprecedented situation and we are doing the best we can under the circumstances. Please do not panic, we will reach you, I promise," he said on Twitter.

Omar asked the people, who were sending distress calls to him on the micro-blogging site, to stay in the upper storeys of the buildings and wait for the help to come.

"All of you tweeting for help/rescue, we are doing our best to reach all ASAP. Please stay in the upper floors and wait for the help to come," he said.

The Chief Minister said he had spoken to the Union Cabinet Secretary to direct the air force to use helicopters to evacuate people from the areas that have been submerged.

"I have spoken to cabinet secretary heading crisis management team in Delhi to direct airlifting of boats to Srinagar urgently via NDMC and army, being done," Omar tweeted.

"Also asked cabinet secretary to direct air force to use helicopters to evacuate people mostly in danger, copters are on standby and will be used," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under worst floods in nearly six decades with 138 people dead and thousands displaced.