Over 1,25,000 flood-hit people rescued in J&K so far

JAMMU: More than 1,25,000 people have been rescued from the flood-ravaged parts of Jammu and Kashmir so far as the relief operations launched by the Armed forces entered the 11th day today.

"Over 1,25,000 persons have been rescued so far 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," a defence spokesman said.

Eighty-nine transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into service, he said.

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 spokesman said.

Armed Forces personnel are distributing water bottles and food packets on a large scale, he said, adding, so far 2,98,000 litres of water, 31,500 food packets and over 533 tonnes cooked food have already been airdropped and distributed in the flood-affected areas.

8,200 blankets and 1,000 tents were provided to the flood victims. 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating in full swing, he said.

Four Field Hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people, he said, adding, till now they have treated more than 21,500 patients.

One more fully equipped field hospital from Bathinda is on its way to Srinagar, he said.

19 tonnes medicines and other health care materials are also being transported from Delhi to the flood-affected area, he said, adding, more relief materials including blankets, water bottles and food packets are being airlifted from Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Patna, Amritsar and Chandigarh.

So far 1,379 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Armed Forces, he said, adding that, 1,799 tonnes of relief materials were dropped by the Indian Air Force.