Union Minister Jitendra Singh to visit Jammu and Kashmir's flood-hit areas

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Jitendra Singh will tomorrow visit flood affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situation and oversee rehabilitation work.

"I have been in touch with senior officials in the flood affected areas of the state. I am going to Reasi tomorrow to take stock of situation there," Singh said.

The Minister will hold talks with senior administrative officials and seek ways for early resumption of Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, which was temporarily suspended yesterday in view of heavy rains lashing parts of the state.

Three pilgrims, including two women, were injured in landslides triggered by the heavy rains in Trikuta hills, where the shrine is situated.

"I will meet officials and take stock of the situation for Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra," said Singh, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office.

Singh is BJP Lok Sabha MP from Udhampur constituency in J-K.

Heavy rains over the past 3-4 days in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in floods in many areas of the state which has so far left at least 20 persons dead.

The situation today worsened in Kashmir Valley where Jhelum river was flowing above the danger mark.

The Centre has rushed in six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel for rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit parts.