42500 people rescued, 61 aircraft and helicopters pressed into service in J&K Floods

Jammu/Srinagar, September 09, (Scoop News)- A massive rescue and relief operations by the Indian Armed Forces is on in Jammu and Kashmir state with more helicopters and rescue materials including boats pressed into service today.
Defence spokesperson, SD Goswami in Jammu told Scoop News that Armed Forces and NDRF so far rescued 42,587 persons in different regions of J&K. Army has deployed 215 columns of its personnel for rescue and relief operations, in which 130 columns deployed in Srinagar region and 85 columns in Jammu region. They have distributed 7,200 blankets and 210 tents. The Army also distributed 42,000 litres of water, 600 kilograms of biscuit, 7 tonne baby food and 1000 food packets in the flood-affected areas. Additional water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and Delhi. In an endeavor to provide speedy medical aid to the affected populace, 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have also swung into action.
Mr. Goswami said so far 354 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Indian Air Force and 459 tonnes of relief materials are dropped by the Indian Air Force. Altogether 61 aircraft and helicopters have been pressed into action.
110 Army bauts and 148 NDRF’s inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operation.
He said that BSNL with the assistance of the Armed Forces is trying hard to restore its mobile services through satellite network and the telecom network at the earliest. Besides, Air Force communication equipment and a team from private telecom company are being airlifted from Delhi.
Fifteen engineering task force teams along with boats and other lifesaving equipment have already reached the flood affected areas to supplement the rescue operation.
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