4 lakh still trapped in J&K

4 lakh still trapped in J&K
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Highlights

About four lakh people are still believed to be trapped in flood-ravaged Srinagar and south Kashmir and mammoth multi-agency rescue efforts are focused there today. Close to 200 people have died in the state\'s worst floods in 60 years.

  • Armed forces, NDRF personnel have rescued 42,000 people so far
  • Srinagar-Leh National highway re-opens for traffic on Tuesday
  • ‘Ignored warnings magnified a disaster waiting to happen’
  • Army using WhatsApp to help those stranded in Kashmir
  • Air India declares free passage for tourists stranded in Srinagar

Srinagar: About four lakh people are still believed to be trapped in flood-ravaged Srinagar and south Kashmir and mammoth multi-agency rescue efforts are focused there today. Close to 200 people have died in the state's worst floods in 60 years.
Man crosses over flood waters with the use of a rope in Srinagar
On Tuesday, Air India declared free passage for tourists stranded in Srinagar.

The armed forces and NDRF personnel have rescued over 42,000 people in Jammu and Kashmir as relief efforts continue in the flood-hit parts of the state, a defence ministry release said on Tuesday.

Army personnel have distributed 7,200 blankets and 210 tents to the victims of the worst floods to hit the state in half a century.

The army has also distributed 42,000 litres of water, 600 kilograms of biscuits, seven tonnes of baby food and 1,000 food packets in the flood-affected areas. Additional water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and Delhi.

Eighty medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also been pressed into action.

Indian Air Force airplanes and helicopters have till now undertaken 354 sorties, dropping 459 tonnes of relief material.

Meanwhile, Malayalam film actress Apoorva Bose, who is among over 300 Keralites stranded in various places in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir, is safe but her family is yet to get authentic information on her return home.

The Army is using social media apps such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp to save the lives of people stranded in the flood-affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Srinagar-Leh National Highway connecting Ladakh with Kashmir Valley was reopened for traffic on Tuesday after remaining closed for seven days.

Environmentalists say last year's devastating flash floods in Uttarakhand, in which at least 5,000 were killed, and the unprecedented deluge in Jammu and Kashmir this year, both have the same cause - urbanization, reduced forest cover and erratic monsoon.

Authorities in both states ignored warnings from weathermen, magnifying a disaster waiting to happen.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announced aid of Rs. 20 crore. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel announced Rs 5 crore from the 'CM Relief Fund'.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi announced Rs 10 crore for relief works.

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