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Jammu and Kashmir Floods: United States pledges $ 250,000 for Jammu and Kashmir floods affected
Updated : Sep 16, 2014, 10:33 PM IST
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The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened as more areas have become submerged in flood waters, leaving a trail of death and destruction.
The death toll in the floods, the worst to have hit the state in the last 60 years, has reached 215, while 82,000 people have been rescued. Thousands of families are stranded and awaiting help in their homes across the valley. The districts in South Kashmir districts are the worst hit by the catastrophe, with many areas still cut off. Over 30% of the capital city Srinagar is under flood waters. More than 10 lakh people arre affected in Jammu division.
Jammu city has been cut off from Pathankot after authorities closed down the three important bridges on the River Tawi. The fourth bridge on the Tawi has been damaged due to gushing waters. The Indian army has pressed 103 columns into service to help in rescue and relief operations. A total of 11,000 civilians have been rescued so far. Of these, 2,000 civilians have been provided food and temporary shelters.
Here is a list of important phone numbers and helplines
Emergency Army Helpline: (+91) 011-23019831
United States pledges $ 250,000 for Jammu and Kashmir floods affected
United States on Monday extended "deepest sympathies" to the flood affected people of Jammu and Kashmir and pledged USD 250,000 as relief and other help.
Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Kathleen Stephens announced that the US intends to provide USD 250,000 to select NGOs through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in response to the needs of the people affected by the disaster. Read more
Writers, historians, scribes show solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir flood-hit people
Eminent writers, historians, scientists, journalists and civil society workers on Tuesday came forward to show their solidarity with the people Jammu and Kashmir battling the worst floods in the state's history.
At a discussion here, they called for prompt rehabilitation of the affected people and asked the authorities to speed up the relief and rescue work. "We could not stop the floods but we could have certainly mitigated the damage to a very large extent. They were not flash floods. With modern technology, we could have predicted the water levels and gave concrete alerts to people," said Saleem Baig, Convener, INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), J-K chapter. Read more
J&K Floods: Life slowly moving to normalcy in Kashmir
After eleven days, life is slowly returning to normalcy in Kashmir but the extent of damage caused by devastating floods is still unfolding. Water has receded to a large extent in Jhelum river and the main flood canal, which kept overflowing for at least three days and caused unprecedented flooding in residential areas. Read more
Yasin Malik allegedly derails Indian Army's rescue operation, asks boat patrol to disembark patients
In the midst of a natural calamity of a humongous proportion that has affected lakhs of people in Jammu and Kashmir, separatist leaders in the valley are apparently creating physical hurdles in the ongoing relief and rescue efforts carried out in the state. On September 13, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, allegedly led a gang of unscrupulous elements and tried to derail the rescue and relief process launched by the Indian Army, under Operation Megh Rahat, in aid of the flood hit regions of Kashmir.
Former BJP Delhi President Vijay Goel donates one month's salary to Kashmir flood victims
In the wake of the massive floods and widespread loss of lives and property in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajya Sabha MP and Former BJP Delhi president Vijay Goel has decided to donate his one month's salary as Member of Parliament to Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
Supreme Court asks Centre, Kashmir government to focus on districts other than Srinagar
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government not to restrict its focus to Srinagar in the rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas, saying the condition in some other districts is "worse".
Closure of national highway cuts off supplies of essentials to Valley
Valley residents are facing an acute shortage of essential commodities even as people in some areas of north and south Kashmir accused the administration of concentrating only on Srinagar city.
Kashmir floods: Cooperation from all regions is the need of the hour, says PDP
The PDP on Monday called upon the residents of Jammu and Kashmir to unitedly face the calamity caused by the unprecedented rains and floods, and said the need of the hour was cooperation from all regions of the state.
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Vishwa Hindu Parishad organises medical camps, 1,400 patients treated
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in association with several social organisations organised three-day long free medical camps in the flood-hit state and provided medical aid to around 1,400 patients in different areas of Jammu district.
Over 2.26 lakh people rescued from flood-hit areas so far
Over 2.26 lakh people have been rescued in Jammu and Kashmir so far as the rescue and relief operations in the flood-ravaged state entered the 14th day on Monday.
Epidemic fears loom large in Jammu and Kashmir; medical efforts ramped up
Amid fears looming large of an outbreak of epidemic in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, efforts to provide medical staff and medicines were ramped up on Monday even as rescue operations were hampered for a short period due to return of rains in the Valley. Armed forces and National Disaster Relief Force have rescued over two lakh trapped people as the operations entered the 13th day today. Over one lakh people are still marooned after the worst floods in the state in a century unleashed a trail of death and destruction, claiming at least 250 lives. An angry Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today debunked talk of only a selected few being rescued. Read more
Sopore lawyer spends his saving to buy a boat to rescue people in floods
After watching people marooned in an unprecedented deluge crying helplessly, a Srinagar-based young lawyer Sajad Mohiuddin used his savings to purchase a boat for Rs 2.5 lakh from Delhi. Another Rs 26,000 were spent to transport it to Srinagar airport. Within past three days, Sajjad, who has joined rescue efforts with a senior journalist Shujat Bukhari has rescued 450 people from Lal Chowk, the sunk city centre, with this single boat. "Most of people rescued from residential houses, guest houses and hotels were labourers, construction workers from Bihar, West Bengal and tourists from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, who had no means to pull strings for help. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Omar Abdullah lashes out at rumour mongers
Asserting that rescue and relief operations are being intensified, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hit out at rumour mongers for wrongly spreading that rescue operations were focused only on outsiders and VIPs and not residents of the Valley. Read more
Don't celebrate my birthday instead help in Jammu and Kashmir relief work: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to friends and well-wishers not to celebrate his birthday and instead dedicate time and resources towards relief work in this hour of need for flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. Modi's appeal came amid plans to celebrate his birthday on September 17 across the country, including in Gujarat where he will be present that day. "I am hearing from different places that friends & well-wishers are planning various programmes and events for my birthday. My humble request - do not celebrate my birthday "Instead, dedicate yourselves towards relief work in Jammu and Kashmir through your time and resources. The need of the hour is to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir," Modi said ahead of his 64th birthday. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir Bank restores 149 branches in Kashmir
With the ATM network virtually grounded and financial problems hitting the people, Jammu and Kashmir Bank has stepped up its operation and reopened 149 out of its 300 branches in Kashmir. Chairman J&K Bank, Mustaq Ahmed told a meeting that almost 149 out of 300 branches are working and efforts have been redoubled to make other branches functional. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir economy suffers over Rs 5,000 crore loss due to floods, says Assocham
Devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir have caused an immediate loss of Rs 5,400-5,700 crore to the state's economy, with heavy damages to trade, hotels, restaurants, horticulture and handicraft, according to initial estimates of industry body ASSOCHAM. Jammu & Kashmir has been hit by the worst floods in over a century, throwing basic infrastructure like power, Railways and communication in the state completely out of gear. Read more
Jammu & Kashmir Floods: Rains lash Kashmir Valley
After few clear days, rains today returned to the Kashmir valley in bad news for flood victims as it could hamper rescue operations in the submerged areas. rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed Srinagar and other parts of the Valley. The weather had been clear for the past five days after incessant rains led to unprecedented floods in the Valley. Weather was overcast since early this morning and the rains started around 8:30 AM and the intensity increased. Read more
Kashmir floods: Airlines mull seeking relief from governnent for rescue work
Indian carriers participating in the evacuation of stranded people in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir may formally urge the government to exempt them from paying aeronautical charges and also seek lower fuel costs for these operations, airline sources said today. Read more
Centre assures all assistance in rehabilitation work in Jammu and Kashmir
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday made an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Pancheri, Saddal and Muttal in Udhampur district and assured the people of all the rehabilitation assistance from the Centre. "I assure the people that the entire reconstruction and rehabilitation work will be carried out at government expense," Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Doctors at Sringar running short of medicines
"Do you have some insulin, I need it badly. My mother who is a diabetic has not had her insulin shot for six days and she badly needs some right now," a desperate looking man in his thirties asked SSB doctors at a camp here. A doctor replied in negative and the man, without wasting a single moment, rushed back to his car and left. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods ministers urge Narendra Modi to declare floods national calamity
Amid reports that Indian air force choppers and aircraft and army boats on rescue work were being pelted with stones, a group of ministers from J&K headed by state finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather met prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday and sought a special rehabilitation package. While thanking the defence forces and the Centre for coming to the rescue of the citizens of J&K, the group of ministers said the unprecedented floods and its aftermath should be declared a national calamity. They sought immediate provision of dry rations to the affected families. At present, a stock of 74,000 MT of rations is available but a large portion of it was not accessible. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Rising water levels in North Kashmir matter of concern says Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Rising water levels in North Kashmir matter of concern says Omar AbdullahWater levels in North Kashmir are rising which is a matter of concern, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said while hoping that it would not be as bad as in the rest of the valley. The Chief Minister said the water levels are "receding" in central Kashmir but they are still above the danger mark and the government was waiting for it to go below the danger mark to "plug the breaches" on the banks of river Jhelum. "Water levels are rising in some parts of North Kashmir. That is a matter of concern. We are hoping that North Kashmir will not be as badly affected as the rest," Abdullah told PTI in an interview. Read more
Kashmir floods: 180 students of 2 medical colleges airlifted from Manasbal
About 180 students of two medical colleges of Srinagar greeted with relief the sight of Mi-17 choppers landing at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base here today, but as they were ferried to safety they did not forget the unknown hands that rescued them when flood water entered their hostel early this week.
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Stone pelters target choppers, planes in relief operations
Even as the men in uniform continue their relentless efforts to provide succour to flood victims in the Kashmir valley, their aircraft and boats are being targeted by stone pelters.Some of the 80 IAF aircraft involved in relief and rescue operations across the flooded Srinagar city have suffered minor damage after they were targeted by stone pelters but the security personnel say they "won't give up" till help reaches all. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir ministers meet PM Narendra Modi, want floods declared as national calamity
A delegation of ministers from Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to declare the recent floods in the state as "national calamity" and also ensure smooth supply of food grains and other essential items. The delegation, led by state's Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister putting forth several demands to help the state government which was grappling with the worst deluge in over 100 years. "The Prime Minister was very positive and assured us complete support to overcome the crisis," senior state minister Ali Mohammed Sagar, who was a part of the delegation, told reporters here. Read more
Over 142,000 people rescued in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir so far
Over 1,42,000 people have been rescued from the flood-ravaged parts of Jammu and Kashmir so far, as the relief operations launched by the armed forces entered the 12th day on Saturday. "The armed forces and NDRF have so far rescued over 1,42,000 persons from different parts of J&K in the ongoing rescue and relief operations," a defence spokesperson said in Jammu. As many as 8,200 blankets and 1,119 tents have been provided to the flood victims, and 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating in full swing. Read more
Pakistan Floods: Death toll reaches 274; floods to hit Sindh province soon
At least 274 people have been killed and over two million affected in massive flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan, officials said today. The rains lashed vast areas of the country last week and since have stopped but the floods triggered by the heavy showers are still out of control. According to the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 194 people have been killed in Punjab, 66 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and another 14 in Gilgit-Baltistan region. Read more
Anger mounts in Jammu and Kashmir after worst floods in over a century
Residents of Jammu and Kashmir turned their wrath on state administrators for failing to provide them with succour after the worst flooding in over a century, angrily dumping food parcels into gutters. A week into the disaster, large parts of the capital Srinagar lay under water with many people still trapped atop their homes, and others crowded in relief camps. Many complain that the government, which has maintained a heavy presence in the territory to keep a lid on the revolt, has left them to their fate. Residents stranded for days by the floodwaters said that the army has selectively evacuated tourists and people according to a pre-set priority list, leaving locals to be rescued later by volunteers. Read more
Chhattisgarh to sent 10,000 solar lamps to flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir
The Chhattisgarh government has decided to provide 10,000 solar lamps and other necessary electrical equipment, including transformers, to people of flood-ravaged Jammu & Kashmir. The decision was taken during a meeting of Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency, which was chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh. Besides solar lanterns, transformers and other equipment will be provided to maintain power supply in the flood-hit region of the northern state. Read more
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in Jammu-Kashmir to oversee medical relief efforts
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will reach Jammu today and oversee the on site relief operations there. He will be visiting Srinagar tomorrow to review the relief work there. The Health Ministry had earlier sent over 100 tonnes of medicines and other supplies besides teams of doctors and experts to flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.
The ministry has set up a control room here to monitor the situation in the state round-the-clock.
Along with civilians, security forces in Kashmir also hard-hit by floods
It is almost a cliche that nature does not discriminate in its wrath and fury. Along with civilian population, security forces deployed here from various parts of the country were also hit badly. They lost their belongings and their weapons were damaged or left useless after water entered their camps across the Kashmir Valley.
The security forces find hundreds of AK rifles, INSAS rifles and SLR rifles, along with their ammunition, along with bombs and hand grenades submerged in the flood water.Some reports said 26 AK rifles from an army camp have been washed away in the floods.
Getting its act together after being initially numbed by last week's devastating floods, Jammu and Kashmir government today announced financial and other assistance to those hit by the disaster, including assistance of Rs 100 crore each to the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley and supply of free ration for six months. Read more
665 people from UP missing in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir
As many as 665 people from Uttar Pradesh have been reported missing in the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Secretary Kamal Saxena said today. Of them 448 are from Pilibhit, 77 people from Bareilly, 69 from Shamli, 53 from Kushinagar and rest from faizabad as per incormation received at the special cell set UP yesterday to collect information on those who have gone missing in J-K floods, he said. Read more
Supreme Court seeks Centre's report on Jammu and Kashmir floods
The Supreme Court today said "a calamity and disaster" as huge as the one witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir floods "deserves national response" and asked the Centre to apprise it on Monday on the urgent steps undertaken to accelerate rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations. The apex court, which noted that "massive floods in Kashmir Valley have created horror" affecting more than 400 villages and stranding five lakh people, also asked the Centre to consider forming a Unified Agency for proper co-ordination of work. It appreciated the effort of the Centre and armed forces but declined the suggestion of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that it was not appropriate at this juncture for the judiciary to intervene and entertain petitions. Read more
Chhattisgarh to give 10,000 solar lamps for Jammu and Kashmir flood victims
Chhattisgarh government will send 10,000 solar lamps, electric transformers and other equipments to help flood-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir. "Today in the meeting of Chhattisgarh State Renewal Energy Development Agency, State government has decided to send 10,000 solar lamps for flood relief operations in J-K," Chief Minister Raman Singh said. Read more
Floods in Jammu and Kashmir worst in 109 years: Rajnath Singh
Ignoring attempts by some separatists to disrupt relief operations in Kashmir valley, government on Friday asserted that its main focus was on providing succour to people affected by the worst-ever floods in 109 years. "We have closed our eyes. We are not looking towards them (separatists). We are determined to provide relief to people, no matter how difficult the situation is. The relief and rescue mission will continue," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said at a press conference here. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir: Desperate hunt for the missing in submerged colonies
A group of locals is keenly looking for somebody in a flooded colony of Mehjoornagar in uptown area of Srinagar. They are searching for a Sikh woman who is believed to have drowned during the water surge five days ago. A Sikh man identified as 35-year-old Gagan also drowned around the same time and his body was recovered two days back. However, the woman is still untraceable and locals wonder why there is no sign of hers even after passage of so many days. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir heading for central rule
The havoc wreaked by unprecedented floods is weighing heavy on the minds of central leaders to delay Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections originally scheduled in November-December, to allow constitution of the new House by January 19, 2015. The Election Commission on Wednesday cancelled its visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the poll preparedness in view of the floods. The home ministry is awaiting its home secretary Anil Goswami who was in Srinagar on Thursday to file a report of extent of devastation and rehabilitation. Sources in the government say elections may now take place in May-June. Read more
Google coordinates matched in London saved life of Kashmir police patriarch
The 82-yeard old patriarch of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Pir Ghulam Hassan Shah stranded in his Shivpora locality house in flood-hit Srinagar near the 15 Corps Army Headquarters, owes his life to Google map coordinates, matched in London. His son-in-law, a consultant at the Pune-based Armed Forces Medical College was in London, when floods struck the city. Unnerved at the reports of rising water level in Shivpora locality and in absence of any communication, he used his resources to plead with the Army to rescue his ailing and aging father-in-law. Read more
After floods infiltration is the next worry in Jammu and Kashmir
Other than throwing up the immediate challenge of rescuing and rehabilitating a large population of Jammu and Kashmir that has been displaced, the flood fury has caused a major concern of renewed infiltration from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) because of large portions of border fencing getting washed away or damaged in various sectors at both international border and Line of Control. Read more
Union Minister Jitendra Singh to visit Srinagar to take stock of flood situation
Union Minister Jitendra Singh will visit the flood-hit city on Thursday for an on-the-spot assessment of relief and rescue measures in the flood-ravaged Kashmir Valley. Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, is also scheduled to visit the various shelter homes set up by the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the state, officials said. Read more
Over 100 Odisha plumbers stranded in Jammu and Kashmir
Over 100 plumbers of Kendrapara district working in Jammu and Kashmir are stranded in the flood-ravaged Valley, leaving their families in a state of uncertainty. "We have received reports of plumbers of the district stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. To ensure the safety of the migrant workers, the administration is taking up the matter with the principal relief commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir though state government agencies," District Collector Pramod Kumar Das said. Read more
PM Narendra Modi chairs emergency meeting to review situation in Kashmir floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired a high-level emergency meeting to review the relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir, has directed the Union Home Ministry to send teams of central officials to coordinate and comprehensively ramp up relief operations in Srinagar. Prime Minister Modi, who took stock of the situation yesterday night, was briefed on the status of operations, especially in Srinagar town and the Kashmir Valley. "In view of the huge magnitude of the calamity, the Central Government needs to provide full support to the state administration to comprehensively ramp-up the rescue and relief operations," he said. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir flood waters receding; lakhs still await help
Flood waters receded further in Kashmir Valley enabling rescue teams to evacuate another 2000 stranded people and provide crucial supplies for people desperately waiting for help in submerged areas. Military teams continued rescue efforts overnight, evacuating 807 people from Srinagar alone. A total of 82,000 people have been pulled out in a continuing multi-agency mammoth operation even as an estimated five to six lakh people still waited for help after floods ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. Read more
Narendra Modi asks officials to ramp up relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ON Wednesday directed officials to provide total support to the Jammu and Kashmir government to enable it ramp-up rescue and relief operations following massive floods in the state and he stressed on the need to quickly reach essential commodities to the affected people. Chairing a high-level emergency meeting to review relief operations in the state late this evening, Modi emphasised that immediate attention be given to providing basic necessities like food and water to people severely affected by the calamity. Read more
Kashmir’s sorrow overflows; death toll crosses 200
Nearly a lakh rescued as army, air force and NDRF mount massive rescue operations in tough terrain. The water levels have started receding but peculiar to most parts of the Valley there is no outlet for the surging waters. The army has redoubled its effort though there has been reports of stone pelting by people who have waited for relief work to reach their areas. Read more
Google uploads database of over 3,200 people who could be stranded in Kashmir floods
Google has uploaded a database of over 3,200 people who could possibly be stranded in the worst- ever floods in Jammu and Kashmir. The internet giant, in an attempt to boost the search capabilities of rescue teams in the state, had launched a time-tested application on Tuesday which was successfully used in Uttarakhand last year. The database is continuously building up and is now being used to stream information to rescue teams on ground by their control rooms in Delhi and airports in Jammu and Srinagar. Read more
Kashmiri Pandits' organisation Panun Kashmir praises Centre, Army's response to floods
Panun Kashmir, an organisation representing displaced Kashmiri Pandits, on Wednesday appreciated the "prompt and sensitive" response of the Centre and Army to the floods in Jammu and Kashmir. "We appreciate the prompt and sensitive response of the Government of India to the unprecedented and catastrophic flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir," a joint statement of Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrungoo and Convenor Agnishekher said. Read more
With the National Conference-Congress coalition facing flak in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress today ducked questions of accountability of the Omar Abdullah government over charges of poor relief and rescue efforts. "This is not the time for asking for accountability", Congress spokesperson Salman Khurshid told reporters in reply to a volley of questions over the "failure" of the state administration to rise up to the challenge in the wake of the worst floods in a century. Read more
Kashmiri Pandits collect relief material for flood-hit brethren in Kashmir
With flood wreaking havoc in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits have been busy collecting relief material for their brethren back in the Valley. Moti Kaul, president of The All India Kashmiri Samaj yesterday collected relief material in Delhi for supplying at several places like Shivpora, Zeshta Devi Temple at Zeethyar, Indira Nagar, Tulsi Bagh and other areas in the Valley. Read more
Congress sends relief material, volunteers to Jammu and Kashmir
The Congress on Wednesday stepped up its aid efforts in Jammu and Kashmir with the party sending relief material, including boats, medicines and tents, besides 100 volunteers to the flood affected areas even as state governments ruled by it donated Rs 30 crore. Read more
Do not panic, Centre tells flood victims of Jammu and Kashmir, assures every help
Union Minister Jitendra Singh today assured the flood-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir of all help from the Centre to tide over the crisis which has hit their state. Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said there is no need to panic and promised every help to the relatives and kin of the people stranded in the flood-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Read more
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to the flood-hit state. It also decided to send 300 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat food to Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said. 145 tonnes of food packets have already been dispatched through the Indian Air Force for distribution to the flood-ravaged people. Read more
Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor raises fund for Jammu and Kashmir flood victims
Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor has partnered with an NGO to help raise funds for the victims of floods in Jammu and Kashmir.This is the worst floods to hit the northern state in six decades and the the death toll due to the floods, landslides and house collapses triggered by torrential Monsoon rains since Tuesday last, is around 200.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav asks officers to rescue people of the state from flood-hit Kashmir
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav directed officers on Wednesday to take necessary steps to bring back people from the state trapped in flood-ravaged Kashmir. He has also directed the resident commissioner posted in Delhi to coordinate with local administration in Kashmir and ensure the safe return of people from UP trapped in flood-affected areas, according to an official statement. Read more
Water receding in Srinagar, but lakhs still stranded and waiting for help
Water levels have started receding in Srinagar city, one of the worst hit in the Kashmir deluge, facilitating rescue workers to pluck out another 29,000 persons to safety. But four lakh people were still waiting for help on Wednesday in the flood-ravaged Kashmir Valley. Scaling up rescue work, Army and IAF have deployed 329 columns and 79 aircraft and helicopters to evacuate those stranded and provide food and medicines. Read more
NDRF jawan injured in attack by angry locals
An NDRF jawan was attacked by angry locals, while few other personnel of the force were heckled while they were rendering relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit areas on Wednesday. Officials said a National Disaster Response Force trooper received severe injuries on his hand when the locals attacked him. Read more
Over 47,000 people rescued in Jammu and Kashmir, 4 lakh still stranded
About four lakh people were still stranded and desperate for help today in flood-ravaged Kashmir valley where heavy rains have eased to help scale up the massive multi-agency rescue and relief efforts in which over 47,000 people have been safely evacuated. As the miseries faced by people--some of them perched on rooftops--in the worst floods to hit Jammu and Kashmir in six decades unfolded, the death toll in the floods, landslides and house collapses triggered by torrential monsoon rains since Tuesday last was stated to be around 200. Read more
BJP slams Congress leaders for 'trying to play politics' over Kashmir floods
The BJP has condemned some Congress leaders for "trying to play politics" over the KAshmir floods, and said the central government was doing its best for relief and rescue of those in distress. "Our first priority is to rescue those stranded and take them to safer places. The Prime Minister's initiative has been lauded by many in the Congress. But it is unfortunate that some are still trying to play politics. There should be no politics on a national calamity like this," BJP secretary Srikant Sharma said. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Rage of Jhelum submerges Paradise
Many years ago, my mother used to hold my hands as we crossed the dilapidated bridge on Nala Maar, a natural canal in old Srinagar. What was a canal is now a two-lane pucca road with shopping complexes and offices on either side. Today Nala Maar, ironically and tragically looks like the canal of old: today it is under 10-ft of flood water. Srinagar's waterways have over the years been destroyed and converted into roads in one of the most short sighted urban planning you can think of. Successive state governments made roads over waterways so that they could ride in triumph at the head of cavalcades. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1978 changed Nala Mar into a concrete road to reach Hazratbal and his ancestral locality Soura from the secretariat in Civil Lines in Srinagar. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Fuel supply restored in Jammu region
As relief supplies pour in flood- hit J&K, the government has restored fuel supply in the Jammu region and efforts are on to move stocks into Srinagar. "The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has taken several measures to ensure availability of essential petroleum products in the aftermath of floods in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The availability of fuel (petrol, diesel and LPG) has been brought to near normal in the division of Jammu," an official statement said here. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Narendra Modi deploys successful Google app to find people
Seeking to boost search and surveillance capabilities of rescue teams in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir, a successful Uttarakhand 'Google' application is being pressed into service by the government. The Google application called 'Person Finder' is a customized exclusive web application that allows individuals to post and search for the status of relatives or friends affected by a disaster. Read more
Watch: Bollywood prays for flood affected victims in J&K
75 stranded Karnataka tourists rescued in Jammu and Kashmir
Seventy five of 549 tourists from Karnataka stranded due to devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir have been rescued so far, the state government said here on Tuesday. Karnataka government has also asked the people to provide information on those who have not been traced, the state Revenue Department said. Two officers deputed by the state, Ramandeep Chowdary and J S Walia, had already reached Srinagar and are monitoring the rescue operations, the department said in a release. Read more
Air India to operate 2 more flights to Jammu and Kashmir
Air India today announced it will operate two additional flights to Srinagar tomorrow and provide free passage to tourists stranded in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir as several chopper firms joined the multi-agency rescue and relief operations there. While state-run Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited and private companies like Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli are working alongside the defence forces, private carriers like Jet Airways and IndiGo said they had started flying relief materials to Srinagar on their regular flights. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Rahul Gandhi asks NSUI, Youth Congress volunteers to help out
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today asked all Youth Congress, NSUI and Seva Dal volunteers to pitch in with help for the flood-affected state of Jammu and Kashmir, where nearly four lakh people are still stranded. The party has also set up a Relief Committee for the state comprising its J-K unit chief Saifuddin Soz, senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and several ministers and leaders. Read more
Rains in parts of north India, weather improves in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir
Rains lashed several parts of north India including Rajasthan where heavy showers affected normal life in some pockets, even as the weather improved in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. In the national capital, the eastern areas received light rains while the other parts remained dry. According to the MeT office, while rainfall was nil in areas under Lodhi Road, Safdarjung, Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar observatories, the automatic weather stations at Akshardham and Sports Complex recorded 4 and 5-mm of rain, respectively. Read more
Indian Army saves 9-month pregnant woman in Jammu and Kashmir floods
Thanks to distress calls received on social media applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook, the Army has been able to save a nine-month pregnant woman stranded on the third floor of a building in a locality in Srinagar marooned in 12-13 ft water. After successfully using these applications in reaching out to the stranded people, the Army is also in discussion with the Google to launch an application for helping people find the whereabouts of their relatives and friends. "We received a message yesterday on our Facebook page from one woman Moriam Neesa who requested us to save her nine-month pregnant sister who was stuck in a house Farooq Colony in Jawahar Nagar in Srinagar," Army's Additional Director General (Public Information) Maj Gen Shuakeen Chauhan said. Read more
No time for blame game on lack of warning on Jammu and Kashmir floods: Narendra Modi government
As the Central Water Commission faces the charge that it failed to issue any alert about the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said the time now was not for engaging in a blame game but to make concerted efforts to help the people of the state. Singh, who holds various portfolios in the Narendra Modi government, including that of science and technology and the Department of Personnel, said, "It is not the occasion for blame game, who is responsible for what? I think that is also not the intention of the Centre. "All of us have put our minds together to help the state (J-K). This is not the time to say who is responsible and who did not do what should have been done." Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Air India declares free travel for trapped tourists
As Kashmir valley remains under flood water, Air India has decided to ferry free of cost tourists trapped in Srinagar while Gujarat and Bihar governments are sending 75,000 food and dry food packets for affected people. Air India's gesture was announced after a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, here on Tuesday. Read more
Assam government sends ADGP to Jammu and Kashmir government to rescue stranded Assamese
The Assam Government has deputed the Additional Director General of Police (Vigilance and Anti Corruption) today to Jammu and Kashmir to liaise with the state government in order to render necessary assistance to the people of Assam stranded there. Read more
Financial aid of Rs 5 crore for Jammu and Kashmir announced by Odisha Government.
The Odisha government on Tuesday announced an assistance of Rs five crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for relief and restoration works in the flood-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reportedly said that the unprecedented flood in Jammu and Kashmir had taken a heavy toll of valuable lives and caused extensive damage to property. Read more
Centre asks Jammu and Kashmir government to post list of rescued people
As families and friends struggle for information about the whereabouts of their missing kin in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has asked the state government to post on its website the list of people rescued from different parts of the state. Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said if the list of rescued people is made public, many families will heave sigh of relief on being assured that their loved ones are safe. "That is why we have asked the state government to upload the list of rescued people on its website as early as possible," he told reporters here. Read more
Malayalam film actress Apoorva Bose among over 300 Keralites stranded in Jammu and Kashmir floods
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. Apoorva's mother Sangeetha said from Kochi that an 11-member team of which her daughter was a part of, had been shifted from a hotel in Srinagar to an indoor stadium by last evening. But there was no official word on when she and others would be evacuated to Delhi. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: UP government announces Rs 20 crore aid
Uttar Pradesh Government has announced an assistance of Rs 20 crore to flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, and expressed solidarity with flood-affected people in the hour of crisis through a tweet. "I am trying to reach you J&K CM Omar Abdullah in this hour of need and support. Unable to reach you. My full support is with you," he added. Read more
Punjab, Haryana governments offer help for Jammu and Kashmir flood victims
Punjab and Haryana governments on Tuesday offered all necessary assistance to mitigate sufferings of the flood-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing solidarity with residents of the state, facing the worst floods in decades, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said he will soon talk to his Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah to extend all possible assistance in this hour of crisis. Read more
Nearly 43,000 people rescued in Jammi and Kashmir, 4 lakh still stranded
About four lakh people were still stranded and desperate for help today in flood-ravaged Kashmir valley where heavy rains have eased to help scale up the massive multi-agency rescue and relief efforts in which nearly 43,000 people have so far been safely evacuated.As the miseries faced by people--some of them perched on rooftops--in the worst floods to hit Jammu and Kashmir in six decades unfolded, the death toll in the floods, landslides and house collapses triggered by torrential monsoon rains since Tuesday last was stated to be around 200. Authorities were also trying to fix the telecommunication links snapped since Sunday afternoon on a war footing and hope to restore it in a phased manner. Read more
Pawan Hans, private chopper firms join rescue efforts in Jammu and Kashmir
State-run Pawan HANS helicopters Limited and private chopper firms have joined the multi-agency rescue and relief efforts in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, as Air India kept two aircraft on stand-by to carry passengers and relief materials whenever required. "Air India has kept two aircraft ready to join the humanitarian efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, while Pawan Hans and private companies like Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli are working alongside the defence forces," Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters here. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: 7 foreigners rescued
A US national was among seven foreigners rescued by the Army and Air force from flood-hit north Kashmir on Tuesday.The US national has been rescued and ferried to Srinagar airport, Army officials said, adding that he will be flown to Delhi. Read more
Two Air India flights deployed for flood-hit Srinagar, says aviation minister
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju Pusapati said here on Tuesday that two special Air India flights have been deployed for flood-hit Srinagar. Pusapati said, "Air India has already put two flights into Srinagar. Probably by today evening, we might be able to give you some additional information on what we are doing with humanitarian work." Read more
Jammu and Kashmir floods: Odisha Cheif Minister Naveen Patnaik announces Rs 5 crore aid
Announcing an assistance of Rs 5 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha government on Tuesday said trained personnel are ready with equipment to undertake rescue and relief operations in affected areas."The Government of Odisha has extended an assistance of Rs 5 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for relief and restoration works in the flood hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir," a release from Chief Minister's office said. Read more
NDRF to launch intensive operations in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir
Two teams of of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) equipped with 30 boats reached Srinagar on Tuesday as the force launched "intensive" operations to rescue people marooned and stranded by floods and rising waters. NDRF chief OP Singh told PTI that 30 boats have been airlifted from Tamil Nadu's Arrakonam and have reached Sringar on Tuesday along with a 100 personnel strong contingent of the force to undertake and bolster the ongoing rescue operations. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir: Massive rescue operations on; lakhs still stranded
Mammoth multi-agency rescue efforts were underway in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday to rescue lakhs of people trapped in flood-ravaged areas, with IAF choppers and transport aircraft undertaking non-stop sorties overnight to carry men and relief material to submerged parts. Rescue teams will be today focusing on the inundated city of Srinagar and south Kashmir belt where an estimated four lakh people are believed to be trapped in floods which have claimed nearly 200 lives in the state. Read more
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan announces Rs 10 crore aid
Maharashtra Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan today announced an aid of Rs 10 crore from the chief minister's relief fund for the rescue and relief of Jammu and Kashmir flood victims. "Chavan has announced an aid of Rs 10 crore from CM relief fund to the flood victims," a statement from chief minister's office said. Read more
UN system stands ready to help India, Pakistan
The UN system stands ready to help governments in India and Pakistan in their efforts to provide relief and assistance to the hundreds impacted by the severe floods in Kashmir, a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today. Read more
Jayalalithaa announces Rs 5 crore assistance to flood-hit Kashmir
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday announced an assistance of Rs five crore to flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir and offered to extend any other assistance required. Describing the destruction caused by flood fury in the state as a "colossal tragedy", she observed that the unprecedented floods and landslides had caused extensive damage to property, besides taking a heavy toll of lives. Read more
Flood situation grim in Jammu and Kashmir, rescue operations underway
Massive rescue operations were underway today to evacuate tens of thousands of people stranded in floods in Jammu and Kashmir as the situation remained grim with most parts of Srinagar city still under water and bad communication lines and high water levels posing a big challenge. Read more
Floods unleash more misery; Prime Minister announces Rs 1000 crore aid
The flood fury unleashed more death and destruction in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the lives of nearly 150 people so far and leaving many marooned, even as relief efforts were intensified today, with the Prime Minister announcing Rs 1000 crore aid for the battered state. The swirling waters have damaged buildings and snapped road and communication links, cutting off many areas. The Army cantonment, Civil Secretariat and the High Court in Srinagar have also been inundated. Read more
Narendra Modi announces Rs 1000 crores assistance to Jammu and Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took the aerial survey of flood affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Modi said, "Situation in Srinagar is worse. Army, Air force and NDRF teams are working constantly. It is a national disaster. I want to assure people of Jammu and Kashmir that it is not just the disaster for them but for the entire nation.
Modi further added, "Such devastation has not been seen in Jammu and Kashmir in 50 years. Central Govermnent is constantly coordinating with State Government. I have announced compensation worth 2 lakh to families of deceased and 50,000 to injured and have decided to provide special assistance of Rs 1000 crores to Jammu and Kashmir Government for relief work," he said. Read more
Narendra Modi reviews flood situation in Jammu region with Omar Abdullah
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reviewed the flood situation in Jammu region at a high-level meeting attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top officials. Modi, who arrived here this morning, held the meeting at Jammu's Technical Airport and was briefed by Abdullah on the devastation caused by the floods which have claimed 116 lives, officials said. The Prime Minister is scheduled to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Jammu zone, they said. He will later fly to Srinagar for an assessment of the damaged caused by the floods.
Flood situation worsen in Kashmir, Army cantonment flooded
The flood situation in Kashmir worsened on Sunday as many parts of Srinagar, including the Army cantonment in Badamibagh, were inundated and vital roads submerged. The embankments of River Jhelum were breached at many places due to rise in water level, submerging areas like Badamibagh, Sonawar, Rajbagh, Kursu, Natipora, Nowgam and old Barzulla, officials said. Water has also seeped into important installations like Civil Secretariat and High Court in the heart of the city, the official said. Read more
Kashmir floods: Search on for missing soldiers
Army today resumed searches for two soldiers, who went missing after their boat capsized during a rescue and relief operation in flood-affected Pulwama district of Kashmir. "The search operation was resumed this morning for the two missing jawans but so far we have not been able to trace them," an Army spokesman said. Read more
Omar Abdullah draws parallel between Kadarnath, Jammu and Kashmir rain furies
Drawing parallel between last year's Kedarnath tragedy and the Jammu and Kashmir's flood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hoped that his government will be able to keep the death toll less by better and speedy rescue operation. Omar said that the Centre has granted permission to use Rs 1,000 National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). "By giving such a name of Kedarnath tragedy-2 your tickers run fast, but the situation is like that. There was loss due to rains and here was also loss due to rains. Read more
Sonia Gandhi urges Narendra Modi government to declare Jammu and Kashmir flood a 'national calamity'
Expressing grave concern over the grim situation of flood in Jammu and Kashmir which has claimed 107 lives so far, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today urged the Centre to declare the crisis a "national calamity". She has also appealed to the Centre and state government to make every effort at relief and rehabilitation, according to a statement from Congress. "(Senior party leader) Ghulam Nabi Azad and the state Congress (unit) have demanded that the situation in the state be declared a national calamity and the Congress President has expressed hope that the Government of India will take necessary steps for the same," the party said. Read more
Over 100 killed as Jammu and Kashmir sees worst floods since 1959
Heavy rains continued to lash Jammu and Kashmir which is battling the worst floods since 1959 as the death toll rose to over 100 on Friday. Forty-four people died in the past 24 hours, including 13 whose houses were buried under landslides in Rajouri district. Five bodies from Thursday's bus mishap, in which 50 members of marriage party were washed away in Rajouri district, were recovered on Friday. Read more
Amit Shah asks BJP workers to join in relief work in Jammu and Kashmir
Expressing concern over flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP President Amit Shah has asked party MPs, MLAs and workers in the state to join in relief and rescue operations in flood-affected areas. Shah also condoled the loss of lives caused by the raging floods and said all efforts would be made to help the people affected by the crisis, BJP said in a statement. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir flood: Death toll climbs to 100
Eleven more people were killed today in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the toll to 100 in the worst floods in the state in nearly six decades. Seven persons died in two separate incidents of a house collapse due to landslide triggered by heavy rains in Udhampur district and four more bodies have been recovered in Rajouri district today, a state government official said. Five members were killed and two went missing when a house collapsed in Rakha Jaganoo area of Ramnagar teshil in Udhampur district, DIG Udhampur-Reasi range Gareeb Dass said, adding, the two missing are being traced as five bodies have been recovered. Read more
Jammu and Kashmir: Death toll due to floods touches 88; Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit state
With as many as 68 persons being killed today, the death toll in the worst floods in Jammu and Kashmir in nearly six decades has reached 88. To review the situation, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and MoS in the PMO Jitendra Singh will visit the state on Saturday. Read more
24 more deaths in Jammu, four in Kashmir due to floods
The toll in the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir climbed to 48, with 24 more deaths in Jammu region and four in Kashmir today. 10 people were killed when a house was buried in a landslide in Thanamandi belt of Rajouri district in Jammu, a police officer said adding that some more people are missing and operation is on to rescue them.Five bodies were recovered from yesterday's bus mishap in which 50 members of marriage party were washed away in Rajouri district, officials said. Read more
Landslides close down Jammu-Srinagar Highway for second day
The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for vehicular traffic for second consecutive day today due to landslides at various places in Jammu region of the state. The highway is closed for second day today, police said, adding, traffic on the highway was suspended due to landslides, washing of road patches, and flooding at various places yesterday. Read more
Home Ministry assures Jammu and Kashmir all possible help in floods
The Ministry of Home Affairs today issued a statement expressing grief over the loss of precious lives in Jammu and Kashmir due to floods and assured the state government that it would l provide all necessary help . Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who briefed him about the flood situation in the state. Read more
20 killed in Jammu and Kashmir floods; 45 more feared dead as bus washed away
The toll in the incessant rains and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday rose to 20, even as 45 others were feared dead after a bus carrying them was washed away in Rajouri district. "So far 20 deaths have been reported in the state due to heavy rains and floods," Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather told reporters at a joint press conference with Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand in Srinagar. Read more
