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.

Incessant rains in Jammu and Kashmir since Wednesday have worsened the flood situation, disrupting normal life. The deluge has wreaked havoc, damaging roads, dozens of bridges and buildings and crops.

South Kashmir districts are the worst affected in the floods followed by Srinagar. A bund at Hamdania Colony Bemina got breached during the night and water entered into the households prompting the people to flee their homes.

Official figures reveal Jhelum crossed 30.7 feet at Sangam in south Kashmir which is seven feet above danger mark. Jhelum also touched 21.8 feet in Ram Munshi Bagh Srinagar which is 3.8 feet above danger mark.

The total discharge of Jhelum is 70,000 cusecs against the normal of 25000 cusecs. More than 70,000 people were affected when Jhelum breached near Kandizal in Budgam district

As many as 1,100 people were rescued from flash-floods in various areas by teams of Army and IAF, taking the total number of the rescued persons since yesterday to 1350. A total of 2,500 people have rescued in the state so far.

Schools and colleges across the state have been closed till Monday while universities in Kashmir have suspended all work for two days.

What has complicated the problem is the continuous downpour which has swelled the water bodies and hampered the rescue works across the state.

Met office spokesman said the downpour will continue till Saturday when weather will show signs of improvement.

Flash floods have caused massive destruction to road infrastructure in enite Jammu division. Chenab is flowing at 38 feet which is four feet above danger mark. Tawi is flowing at 13. 5 feet while as the danger mark is 17 feet. Over 100 houses and buildings have suffered damage in Rajouri and Udhampur districts,

"Army has launched Operation Megh Rahat in the area of Nowshera, Rajouri, Thanamandi and Poonch districts in coordination with civil district authorities," said a defence spokesman.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu said six choppers -- two in Jammu four in Udhampur—has been kept ready but due to the bad weather they could not land.

"Our priority is to save lives currently. There has been damage to roads and power supply has also got disrupted", he said.

Jammu and Kashmir government has closed the educational institutions till Sunday. Hajj flights too have been suspended till September 7 because flood water has entered into the Hajj house in Bemina locality.

Keeping in view the safety of pilgrims in the wake of incessant torrential rains yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine from Katra has been temporarily suspended from 4.00 p.m. onwards till further notice.