The Indian Armed Forces have put to use some of the best military skill-sets in the ongoing massive rescue and relief operation in the flood affected area of Jammu & Kashmir Deployed for the first time in the ongoing devastating flood situation in J&K. The Naval Marine Commandos rescued around 200 personnel at Haigaon on Srinagar – Sopore highway. Rescue efforts are now continuing near Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Additionally, Naval ping Teams are also standby at New Delhi, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam for the rescue efforts. A medical team is standby at Delhi for immediate deployment. So far 20,000 stranded people have been evacuated by the Army in different regions of J&K. Army has deployed 205 columns of its personnel for rescue and relief operations. They have distributed 4,000 blankets and 90 tents. The Army also distributed 23,000 litres of water and 600 kilograms biscuits in the flood-affected areas. In an endeavor to provide speedy medical aid to the affected populace, 60 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also swung into action.
Eighty-five metric tonnes of medicines were airlifted for the flood victims. 16 relief camps have been set up in different parts of the State. 1245 people have been airlifted by the Indian Air Force helicopters and transport aircraft. So far 140 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Indian Air Force and 155 tonnes of relief materials are dropped by the Indian Air Force. Altogether 45 aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into action. Today, the engineer task force is being rushed from New Delhi to the flood affected areas to supplement the rescue operation. They will carry boats and lifesaving equipment. The situation is being continuously monitored and progress of the events are updated at the office of the HQ IDS in New Delhi.