Water level decreasing in Jammu but situation in Kashmir worsens: Omar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is battling with massive floods that have claimed the lives of over 110 people so far. Assessing the current situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the water level in Jammu is decreasing. However, he also maintained that the situation in Kashmir has worsened adding that "even the first floor is under water in some places."

"Medical teams have been deployed in the field. Four Principal Secretary level officers will be deployed for assessing the damage," Omar assured. Civil Secretariat and Lal Chowk areas are also under water in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Jammu to take stock of the situation in the flood hit areas. He is expected to undertake an aerial survey, and go to Kashmir later in the day to assess the damage.

The decision to visit the state came following a review meeting which Modi called after being briefed on Saturday by Home Minister Rajnath Singh who returned to Delhi after surveying the flood-affected region. "Mr Abdullah himself drove the car and showed me Srinagar's conditions. I want to assure people and the CM that the Centre is with the state in this crisis," Rajnath had said on Saturday after he reviewed the situation in the state.

A red alert has been sounded in parts of Srinagar after the Jhelum river breached the embankment in the district. Traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway has been stopped and trains have been suspended after incessant rains. There were landslides at many places along the track in Udhampur in Jammu.

Braving the inclement weather, the Army and Air Force have successfully evacuated over 9,000 people so far from the flood affected regions. "I am thankful to the services rendered by Army, Air force, police and administration. They have done a commendable work," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.

The forces still have a daunting task ahead of them. Nearly 25,000 villages are partially under water while more than 450 villages have been totally submerged. The Air force teams are hoping that skies will clear out so that they are can fly sorties while the ground troops make a push for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.