Srinagar: The death toll in Jammu and Kashmir's worst floods in 60 years claimed 211 so far, an official said here on Tuesday morning.
In Pic: Rescue and relief operations in full swing
In well coordinated efforts, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force used boats, helicopters and planes in a bid to reach out to the many thousands stranded on rooftops in Srinagar, a city now looking like a swollen Dal Lake following days of torrential rains and flash floods.
A Home Ministry release on Monday said 24,000 people have been rescued so far from various places.
Deploying hundreds of men for rescue and relief work, the Army has distributed 5,000 blankets, 140 tents, 23,000 litres of water and 600 kg of biscuits.
Water bottles are being airlifted from Chandigarh and New Delhi. Eighty medical teams have swung into action. A total of 85 tonnes of medicines were airlifted.
Fifty-two Indian Air Force helicopters and transport aircraft have flown 140 sorties and dropped 155 tonnes of relief materials.
Officials admitted that the situation was scary and there was no contact with people trapped in the remote areas of the Valley.
Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, remained mostly under water. The overflowing Jhelum took virtually the entire city in its grip, barring the old parts located on higher ground.
Residents said that in some areas two- and three-storey houses had almost gone under water, and that thousands in Srinagar were sheltering on rooftoops hoping and praying for an early rescue.
The waters have entered homes, shops, businesses, schools and colleges, hospitals, mosques and army camps. There was a sea of water at Lal Chowk, the city centre.
On Monday, the Army airlifted its communication equipment. BSNL loads were flown from Bangalore and Jammu.
The only communication tool still up and running was the police wireless system.
The Army has established shelter camps at Poonch, Rajouri, Thanamandi, Bela, Potha, Sanai, Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Budhal, Gulabgarh, Sungri, Salomé, Gul, Kandi, Samote, Mahore and Chasana areas.
Each camp is now home to 50 to nearly 1,200 homeless people.
"The Indian armed forces have put to use some of the best military skillsets in the rescue and relief operation," a military spokesman said.
Except for connectivity between Srinagar and north Kashmir's Ganderbal district, all other districts of the valley - including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Badgam, Baramulla and Bandipora - were cut off.
The Srinagar-Jammu highway and the Srinagar-Leh highway remained close for the fourth consecutive day on Monday.
All educational institutes have been shut and all Haj flights to Saudi Arabia have been cancelled till September 12.
