Death toll touches 116 in Jammu and Kashmir floods 11000 rescued

At least 28 people lost their lives on Saturday as the death toll in the worst flood to hit Jammu and Kashmir in the last 50 years mounted to 116, while Army rescued 11,000 people to safety.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Union minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the situation in the state and assured the Omar Abdullah government of full support on all aspects of relief. As many as 28 people have died in the Jammu region, state officials said adding, of these 14 people died in Udhampur districts in incidents of house collapses, three in Reasi district, one in Doda district.

Ten bodies of the bus passengers were recovered today in Rajouri. The bus carrying 63 passengers was washed away in flash-flood in Rajouri on Thursday. With today's recovery the number of total bodies recovered has gone up to 35.

With this, the total deaths in Jammu region gone up to 106, while ten people have died in Kashmir Valley.

"Over 107 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to flash-floods, landslides and house collapses," Rajnath told reporters in Jammu after the visit.

"The situation is critical. We have watched the scene of destruction," he said. As many as 2,500 villages have been affected by the floods and 450 villages have marooned, Rajnath said, adding, a large number of houses have been destroyed and road and bridges damaged.

He said that 8 teams of NDRF and 6 helicopters of IAF have been pressed in rescue and relief operations and they are doing a commendable job.