Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh today said that 8 NDRF teams are operating in flood affected Jammu and Kashmir for carrying out rescue and relief operations. He said as many as 25000 villages have been affected and over 450 villages have been submerged besides 107 people have lost their lives in flash flood so far.Addressing a press conference at Jammu, the Union Home Minister described the situation in many sectors as critical and assured the State Government of all help from the Centre. He said the Prime Minister while expressing sympathies with affected people has assured all help from the Union Government to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of crisis, adding that the Prime Minister has announced Rs. 2 lakh as ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of those who died and Rs. 50,000 to those who have received injuries in the flash floods.
The Union Home Minister said that due to bad weather he could not conduct the aerial survey in Srinagar, however, along with the Chief Minister he visited many inundated areas in Srinagar to get appraisal of the devastation caused by flood water and to assess the difficulties faced by people. He said that he conducted aerial survey of the Jammu region and described the situation in many areas including Akhnoor sector as critical.The Union Home Minister informed that 6 helicopters have been sent to the State for assisting the State administration in its efforts to rescue and evacuate people stranded in various submerged areas of the State.
While asking various organizations to extend their help to the State in this hour of crisis, the Home Minister added that the State Government should also gear up to face the scenario after the flood water recedes. He said precautionary measures should be taken to prevent spread of water borne disease and Health Advisories should be issued to inform the people.Union Minister of State in PMOs Office, Mr. Jatinder Singh, Minister of State for Home, Mr. Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Union Secretary for Boarder Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, IG Jammu, p Com, Jammu and Air Commodore were present on the occasion. (KNS)