J&K floods: Central govt officials camp in Srinagar to assist in relief work

A 10-member team of central government officials, headed by Joint Secretary (Disaster Management) in the Union Home Ministry G V V Sarma, is camping in Srinagar and coordinating rescue and relief operations with all concerned. A Joint Secretary of the Union Health Ministry will join the central team tonight while a Joint Secretary from the Department of Expenditure (Union Ministry of Finance) and another Joint Secretary from the Planning Commission will reach Srinagar tomorrow to offer help and coordination to those involve in flood relief operations. [caption id=“attachment_1702731” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image.[/caption] Government is also making effort for the restoration of the power connection in Kashmir valley and deploying people for the task. Though there is no scarcity of petrol and diesel so far, at least 50 pumps - out of 78 pumps in the valley - are under flood water. The authorities are also planning to deploy heavy duty pumps to drain out flood water in some of the low lying areas in Srinagar city. The official said that air connectivity to Srinagar and Jammu are normal while train lines up to Udhampur is expected to be operationalised by this evening and up to Katra by tomorrow. Army, Air Force, NDRF and state agencies have so far rescued more than 25,000 people and lodged them in higher places in the valley. Out of 150 people who lost their lives in the floods in the state, 130 are from Jammu while the rest belong to Kashmir valley. “More deaths in Jammu region because of flash floods and landslides. In Vally, water level rises slowly hence there are less casualties,” the official said. PTI