Jitendra Singh promises assistance to flood-hit families in J&K

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday assured the flood-hit families in Jammu and Kashmir of all necessary assistance.

“Over 76,500 people have been rescued by the armed forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) so far, the remaining people are also in the process of being shifted out,” Dr. Singh said.

Commending the Army, the Air Force and paramilitary forces, including the Border Security Force for conducting expeditious rescue operations, Dr. Singh said the Air Force and Army had alone pressed into service nearly 80 aircraft and helicopters.

“In addition, 329 columns of Army personnel are already deployed in the State, who are performing an exemplary task under the most inhospitable conditions, which only goes on to prove the point that the Indian Army and paramilitary forces are not only capable of fighting the enemy on the borders but also equally capable of fighting the fallouts of any natural calamity like the one being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Dr. Singh.

The Union Minister said he had taken up the issue of providing more relief material with the Union Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority. “The Army alone has distributed 1.5 lakh litres of water to the flood-hit people, while more water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and Delhi,” he said, adding that he was in touch with the State administration and also maintaining a regular individual contact with the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts.

Dr. Singh said communication lines are expected to be restored within next one or two days. The rescue teams have been using satellite phones.