Residents watch the overflowing Chenab River after heavy rains at Akhnoor, in Jammu and Kashmir, on September 5. (Associated Press Photo)
More than 100 people have died in rain-battered Jammu and Kashmir which is witnessing its worst flood in 50 years. Nearly 10,000 people are stranded across the state where the Army is assisting National Disaster Response Force or NDRF personnel in rescue operation. A boat carrying nine Army jawans capsized today during rescue operation in Pulwama. Seven personnel have been rescued, while two others are still trapped.
Here's the latest developments in this story:
Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar this morning and conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas to take stock of the situation. He also held a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. After briefing the Home Minister, Mr Abdullah drove him through Srinagar city. "I want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that central government is with the state government, and we will provide all help possible," the Home Minister said.
The uptown area of capital Srinagar is the worst affected as River Jhelum is flowing several feet above the danger mark. The river has breached embankment in the Pulwama district and red alert has been issued in parts of south Srinagar including airport road, authorities said.
The southwest monsoon is vigorous over Jammu and Kashmir and the state has been witnessing heavy rain for past five days. The downpour is likely to continue for the next couple of days.
The flood has affected almost all 10 districts in the Jammu region. Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have damaged roads, dozens of bridges, buildings and crops. Vehicular traffic has been stopped on the Jammu-Pathankot highway due to incessant rain.
On Thursday, 63 people died when the bus they were travelling in was washed away in the flash floods in Rajouri district. Rescue teams have retrieved 25 bodies so far; several bodies were fished out five km away from the accident site.
The Army and the Air Force have been roped in by the government to rescue stranded people. As many as 9,000 people have been rescued from across the state so far. The Army has deployed 103 columns of troops.
According to the Army, the situation in the state is as grim as it was in Uttrakhand last year.
The state government has closed all the schools till September 7.
A control room has been set up at Ramban district headquarters and all Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars have been asked not to leave their headquarters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in Jammu and Kashmir floods on Thursday and sanctioned Rs. 2 lakh for the family of those killed in rain related incidents and Rs. 50,000 for the seriously injured.
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