Over 2.37 lakh people rescued from flood-hit J&K so far

Over 2.37 lakh people have been so far rescued while medical treatment has been provided to nearly 75,000 of them in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir where relief and and rescue operations entered the 15th day today.

"Over 2,37,000 persons have been rescued so far by the Armed Forces and NDRF from different parts of Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood ravaged state," PRO Defence Col S D Goswami said today.

About 3,887 tonnes of relief material have been ferried by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to Jammu and Kashmir so far.

Three teams of Naval Marine Commandos are actively involved in rescue operations at Watlab, Widipura and Tankpura in Kashmir to give boost to rescue and relief operations.

"As the flood water has started receding the apprehension for water-borne diseases is rising. Now demand for filtered water has increased. Twenty RO plants from Hyderabad with a capacity to filter 4 lakh litre per day and four RO plants from Delhi with a capacity to filter one lakh litre per day have already been airlifted to Srinagar," the PRO said.

Thirteen tonnes of water purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day was sent earlier to Srinagar.

More heavy duty suction pumps have also been transported from Jodhpur and Raipur to the Valley, the PRO said.

He also said that 33,000 blankets were distributed in flood-affected areas yesterday, which were donated by Ministry of Textile and Government of Jharkhand and Punjab.

Earlier 17,500 blankets and 2106 tents were provided to the flood victims, he added.

Four Army Field Hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people, the PRO said.

"They have treated around 75,254 people so far," he said

He also said that two additional fully-equipped field hospitals with laboratory testing equipment facility have also been established in Srinagar.

One rapid action medical team from Air Force has been deployed at Avantipur and Srinagar besides the 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services who are currently operating in full swing in the state, he added.

Col Goswami said the team has provided medical aid to 2,684 patients so far.

More relief material, including 17,200 blankets from Ranchi and Delhi, 4,000 litres of water from Pathankot and 120 tonnes of food from Pathankot and Delhi, will be airlifted.

"Over six lakh litres of water and over 1,400 tonnes of food packets/cooked food and ration have already been distributed in the flood-affected areas," the PRO said.

As many as 64 transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps are continuing their efforts in rescue and relief operations while Army has deployed around 30,000 troops, he said.

So far, 2,633 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Armed Forces and 3,887 tonnes of relief material dropped by the Indian Air Force, Col Goswami said, adding, a total of 224 boats of Army and 148 NDRF's inflatable boats are being used in the rescue operation.

Armed Forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu region, where rescued people are being provided with food and other basic amenities.

Mission Rahat and Mission Sahayata were launched by Armed Forces in Jammu and Kashmir regions respectively to rescue flood victims and provide relief to them.