At least 28 people lost their lives on Saturday, as the death toll from the worst floods to hit Jammu

and Kashmir in 50
years mounted to 116; rescue efforts, led by the Indian Army have saved 11,000.
Unione Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh
visited the state and reviewed the situation, assuring the Omar Abdullah government of the Centres support.
State officials said 28 people died in the Jammu region 14 from Udhampur, three from Reasi and one from Doda
districts due to collapsing of houses. Ten bodies passengers of the ill-fated bus washed away in Rajouri district on
Thursday were also recovered. The bus was carrying 63 passengers. The total number of bodies recovered now
stands at 35 and deaths at 106; ten people have been reported dead from the Kashmir Valley.
"Over 107 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to flash-floods, landslides and house collapses. The situation
is critical. We have watched the scene of destruction," the Home Minister explained.
Brutal J&K floods add to India's water woes: Photos
As many as 2,500 villages have been affected by the floods and 450 villages have marooned, Rajnath continued,
adding that a large number of houses were destroyed and roads and bridges damaged. He said 8 teams of NDRF
and 6 Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters were involved in rescue efforts.
The minister passed on sympathies expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced compensation of Rs
2 lakh to next of kin of victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured. The State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) Rs 1,100
crore war chest will be used to carry out relief operations.
PM reviews flood situation in J&K, to visit state today
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told reporters that the airlifting of marooned villagers may begin on Sunday if the
weather improves. South Kashmir remains completely cut off. The CM, who made an aerial review of the situation,
said: "We have not been able to touch South Kashmir. One NDRF battalion has been air-dropped at Awantipur airport
because we could not transport them from Srinagar. So, we are trying to send them to affected areas. Two more
battalions have been sent to Pulwama."
Nine Army personnel trapped during rescue operations in J-K
Emphasising the fact that the states administrative machinery swung into action rapidly after warnings from the
Meteorological Department, the CM said the magnitude of the calamity meant relief efforts were proving insufficient.
"We just need one break of weather. Our helicopters are on standby at Jammu and Srinagar. As soon as we get that
break from bad weather, we will start air-lifting people and provide them with relief material," he said.