Srinagar, 8 September 2014: A total of 1737 personnel & 315.5 metric tonnes of relief material have been airlifted till 1300 hrs on 08 September 2014 by the Indian Air Force (IAF) using Forty Five aircraft flying 186 sorties which include both the Fixed and Rotary wing types. Transport aircraft have been supporting rescue operations operating from Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jammu, Awantipur and Delhi. Whereas, Helicopters are operating from Srinagar, Awantipur, Udhampur, Jammur, Pathankot and Sarsawa. Relief materials airlifted today to Srinagar, Jammu, Awantipur and other affected areas include blankets, tents, medical supplies, food (MRE – meals ready to eat) and water.
Air Force helicopters with IAF Garud Commandos on board operating in the flood affected areas have so far winched up 321 victims & relocated them to safer areas. In some cases the Garuds had to dismantle the roof and evacuate people trapped in the top floors of their houses. All efforts are being made to evacuate as many people as possible despite the inclement weather and limited resources.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel boarding Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft
The Indian Armed Forces have put to use some of the best military skill-sets in the ongoing massive rescue and relief operation in the flood affected area of Jammu & Kashmir
Deployed for the first time in the ongoing devastating flood situation in J&K. The Naval Marine Commandos rescued around 200 personnel at Haigaon on Srinagar – Sopore highway. Rescue efforts are now continuing near Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Additionally, Naval Diving Teams are also standby at New Delhi, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam for the rescue efforts. A medical team is standby at Delhi for immediate deployment.
So far 20,000 stranded people have been evacuated by the Army in different regions of J&K. Army has deployed 205 columns of its personnel for rescue and relief operations. They have distributed 4,000 blankets and 90 tents. The Army also distributed 23,000 litres of water and 600 kilograms biscuits in the flood-affected areas. In an endeavor to provide speedy medical aid to the affected populace, 60 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also swung into action.
Eighty-five metric tonnes of medicines were airlifted for the flood victims. 16 relief camps have been set up in different parts of the State. 1245 people have been airlifted by the Indian Air Force helicopters and transport aircraft. So far 140 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Indian Air Force and 155 tonnes of relief materials are dropped by the Indian Air Force. Altogether 45 aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into action.
Today, the engineer task force is being rushed from New Delhi to the flood affected areas to supplement the rescue operation. They will carry boats and lifesaving equipment. The situation is being continuously monitored and progress of the events are updated at the office of the HQ IDS in New Delhi.
Adequate PDS food grains for three months in Jammu Region and two months in Kashmir Division
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan has directed senior officials of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to camp at Srinagar and closely monitor the availability of food grains in the flood affected areas of Jammu & Kashmir. In a review meeting taken by the Ministry, officials were asked to ensure adequate and timely supply of PDS food grains to the affected people.
The Minister was informed that there is sufficient stock of foodgrains for about three months in Jammu region and two months in the Kashmir division. As far as damage to food grains is concerned, flood water has affected only one godown in Srinagar, having a capacity of 8,330 MT. The actual damage will be known only after the salvaging operations take place, once the water recedes.
Ram Vilas Paswan has directed the Secretary Food and CMD FCI to monitor the situation on daily basis and take immediate steps to ensure timely availability and if required to rush additional quantity of foodgrains to the affected region.
