Leh: While over 500 people were feared to be missing on Saturday due to yesterday's flashfloods that devastated Leh, the death toll is expected to rise further, as
there are many people still trapped in the region. At least 130 persons have died
and 370 individuals have been injured in the incident. Several far-flung villages
in this high-altitude place are yet to be accessed by the rescue teams, said media
reports on Saturday evening. Jammu and Kashmir police have set up four rehabilitation
centers for the affected people of Leh. Besides, Leh 24-hours helplines (ph.09906990787,
09906990835) have been opened. Meanwhile, six special planes of Indian Air Force,
carrying medical supplies, have landed in Leh "The Civil Aviation ministry will
provide six more choppers," according to Home Secretary Gopal Krishan Pillai.
However, 15 Army columns have been deployed and rescue operations are being carried
out on war footing. A central team comprising Union Minister Farooq Abdullah,
Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prithviraj Chauhan is presently visiting Leh to have an assessment
of flashfloods' affect and relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, additional
forces have been rushed in for rescue operation in Leh. Jammu and Kashmir Director
General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, however, has said that the total number of missing
persons are yet to be ascertained. Earlier in the day, a transport aircraft of
the IAF carrying relief material, including blankets, dry food material, medicine
and other immediate requirements of the affected people landed in Leh, a Defence
Spokesman said. He said the armed forces have launched massive rescue and relief
operations for the victims of the devastating cloudburst here. "We have recovered
130 bodies so far and at least 370 are injured. The number of missing is yet to
be ascertained," State Police Chief Kuldeep Khoda said, adding the toll may go
up. Moreover, hundreds of vehicles are stranded in Kargil and tourists are complaining
that administration has been slow in extending help. Leh-Manali road may take
a couple of days to be reopened, said media reports.
