JAMMU: Conducting an aerial survey of flood affected areas, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reportedly announced that free ration will be provided for six months to the people in the most affected areas.
Omar, who dropped relief material from Army helicopter, said that supplying food, water and medicine are a priority, according to a national television channel.
He further added that as soon as Jammu-Srinagar highway will open, rescued people will be sent wherever they want through cars.
“Water is receding in the areas which were totally submerged. These areas are now being accessed via trucks,”said he.
He was earlier quoted as saying that till now the material collection process was slow. However, it gradually picked up speed and Air Force had put their biggest planes into this process.
Giving figures of helicopters at work, he said, “We have made arrangements here. People are brought up by helicopters and are being sent to cities at safe places. The problem we are facing is that the only source to reach the runway is through helicopter. Around 800 rounds of helicopters were flown yesterday.”
“People are facing problems in terms of food, we are not denying that. But since today morning we are distributing food material including biscuits, bread, water and whatever we have received are being distributed at the earliest. It is expected that by tonight huge quantities of food material will be received,” he added.
Talking of death figures, he said, “No exact figures regarding death toll can be given. Situation of Srinagar will get clear only when the water level will go down.” “People are facing problems in terms of food, we are not denying that. But since today morning we are distributing food material including biscuits, bread, water and whatever we have received are being distributed at the earliest. It is expected that by tonight huge quantities of food material will be received,” he added.
Talking of death figures, he said, “No exact figures regarding death toll can be given. Situation of Srinagar will get clear only when the water level will go down.”
