M A I N   N E W S

In Srinagar, flood-ravaged areas still under 5-ft water
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 13
Most of the residential areas are still submerged under five to seven feet of water more than a week after the devastating flood waters of the Jhelum ravaged parts of Srinagar city.

Besides the Army and the Indian Air Force, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been engaged in the rescue operations in the Pulwama and Awantipore areas of south Kashmir and Srinagar since September 5.

With 23 teams comprising more than 1,000 personnel and 148 boats, the NDRF has so far rescued over 45,000 stranded persons in the flood-affected areas of the Valley, said NDRF Director General OP Singh, who was here on Saturday to review of the rescue operations.

Relief material comprising 34 tonnes of eatables, medicines, drinking water and blankets has also been distributed among the food victims, said Singh. "We have launched night operations even as the flood-affected areas are still under six to seven feet of water," he said.

The rescue operations in Kashmir are different as the narrow lanes in the city with submerged vehicles, construction material and concertina wire of security bunkers are causing damage to boats, said RS Joon, Commandant, NDRF, who was supervising the rescue operations. Some boats have been rendered non-functional during the rescue operations in the congested localities of the city, Joon said.

Replying to a question on people's resentment against the rescue teams, Singh said: "All stranded persons expect they should be evacuated on priority."

Narrow lanes a challenge

• Narrow lanes in Srinagar city hampering rescue operations
• The NDRF has rescued over 45,000 persons since September 5
• 34 tonnes of relief material, including food, medicines and blankets, has been distributed in the flood-hit areas
• Rescue operations to continue till the last person is evacuated