J&K Floods: Death toll rises in the valley
Sixteen people have reportedly been killed in mudslides and hundreds of people have left their homes in Kashmir after heavy rain over the weekend caused flooding in the Valley. There has been no rain since yesterday, but the weather department has predicted heavy showers tomorrow.
Over past 2-3 days due to excessive rains in Jammu and Kashmir a flood like situation has developed in many parts of the state.
The Central Govt. has assured the state Govt. to make available all possible help. The State Govt. has an amount of Rs.209.70 crores available under SDRF (as on 13.02.2015). Out of this amount state govts can disburse input subsidy to farmers in respect of crops which have suffered more than 50% losses. The officials of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation are in constant touch with state Govt. officials. As soon as flood waters recede, the central govt. officials will assess the losses.
Meanwhile, armed forces have launched a rescue operation by deploying 20 columns in the state and have kept helicopters on the standby. “The Army has placed 20 flood relief columns ready to react and deploy at short notice”, Public Relation Officer (PRO), Defence (Northern Command), Col SD Goswami said. One Army column consists of 75 to 100 troops. “Due to incessant rains and rising levels of water above danger levels at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh, Indian Army was formally requisitioned for aid to civil authorities for floods for Srinagar District from Civil Administration on the evening of March 30”, Col Goswami said. In addition, various flood relief stores have been setup and equipment kept ready along with 30 BAUTS (Boat Assault Universal Type) for deployment at short notice, he said. Eight teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also in the Kashmir Valley.
