JAMMU : Army has so far rescued 65,000 people trapped in Jammu and Kashmir flash floods as the Operation Meghrahat has entered its tenth day today.
“On the tenth day of the rescue operation ‘Meghrahat’, the Army has intensified its rescue efforts,” Col S D Goswami, Northern Command based Defence spokesperson here today said. He said while more than 220 columns remain dedicated for the rescue efforts the number of people rescued by the Army has increased to 65,000.
“The Army Medical authorities have provided medical help to the affected people with about 96 medical teams working round the clock,” he said, adding that on September 10, more than 85 adults and about 40 children have been treated by the Army Doctors in a single day.
“The Army is also in the process to inducting a Field Hospital in Srinagar, which will further boost the medical assistance to the flood affected people, he said adding,”the Nursing officers of the Army are also helping the efforts by cooking food and providing meals to the civilians stranded at Srinagar Cantt.”
Meanwhile, food packets of cooked food and drinking water are being packed and sent to Srinagar from Udhampur, said the Spokesperson.
He further added that the Aviation wing of the Army has employed about 30 Helicopters which have carried out more than 450 sorties and rescued about 1500 stranded civilians. “The helicopters have also transported a mixed load of more than 75000 Kg of relief material to various locations in the Valley,” said the Army spokesperson adding that to make up for the mammoth requirement of safe drinking water the Army alongwith Air Force has air lifted 20000 Litres of water in bottles and containers from Jammu and transported to Srinagar. The Army is also in the processing of inducting stores and fuel for the repair, maintenance and functioning of motor boats and helicopters employed in the rescue operations. He further said there has been a fresh landslide reported ahead of Ramban which is hampering the reopening of road to the Kashmir valley.
“With the concerted efforts of Army Engineers and the Border Road Organisation Light vehicle connectivity from Banihal upto Pampore has been restored,” he added and said it is expected that the road till Srinagar should be opened in a week’s time. Specialised Army Engineer and Communication detachments and equipment are being air lifted from Jammu, Udhampur and other locations of the country to facilitate restoration of water supply, telecommunication and bridge construction in the valley, said Col Goswami.
(AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel