J&K floods: Over 200 dead, many areas cut off

mangaloretoday.com/ CNN/IBN

Srinagar, Sept. 9: The death toll in Jammu and Kashmir is now nearly 200 in the worst floods in six decades in the state. More than 23,000 people have been evacuated, but lakhs remain stranded. The valley is cut off as many roads have been washed away.

"Only my husband and I have been rescued. Both my sons are left behind. My house was destroyed. I was stuck on the terrace for three days," said a resident in Srinagar. "I am 60 years old and I have never seen such a situation here. This is really scary," another resident added.

 

 

The Army has deployed 215 columns for rescue and relief operations. Naval Diving Teams are also positioned on standby. The Army has said that it is aiming to restore connectivity to Srinagar in the next 4-5 days. Communication lines have been almost totally snapped.

Massive repair work is being carried out on the National Highway. "The houses have been destroyed because they were old. There are still many stuck there. My husband is still there. We were three families. We crossed one house at a time and reached the terrace," a Srinagar resident said.

The area in and around Srinagar’s Dal Lake has also been completely flooded. A relief centre has been set up at the nearby Srinagar University. "Water level suddenly rose and entered our house. We had to take refuge in the University campus," said a survivor.

In the Jammu region, though, the Vaishno Devi yatra has resumed.

Meanwhile, help from states has also started pouring in for the flood-ravaged state. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has announced an aid of Rs 10 crore while Tamil Nadu has donated Rs 5 crore for flood relief. The United Nations too have offered to help both India and Pakistan.

Helpline numbers:

Flood Control Room No -

New Delhi J&K House (011)-24611210 and 24611108

Srinagar-0194-2452138

Jammu-0191-2560401

Home Ministry Helpline: 011-23093054, 23092763, 23093564, 23092923, 23092885, 23093566, 23093563