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By Staff
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Srinagar, Sep 3 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today sought the help of the Army and the Air Force in relief and rescue operations in the wake of the ''grim and dangerous'' flood situation as heavy rains continued to pour across the Valley.

Talking to UNI, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Basharat Ahmed said the Army, the Air Force, the Fire and Emergency Services have been kept as standby to supplement the government's flood control measures and tackle any emerging situation after a red alert was sounded in the entire Valley yesterday.

He said all schools and colleges in the Kashmir valley have been closed for two days so as to utilise the buildings for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.

Mr Ahmed said many areas in the central Kashmir's Srinagar and Badgam districts besides south Kashmir' Anantnag and Pulwama districts were submerged in flood waters and the state government has launched rescue and relief operations on war-footing.

He further added that Gandabal, Padshahi Bagh, Soiteng, Lasjan, Hajan and several other areas were inundated and the threat of many new places getting flooded was looming large.

The Divisional Commissioner said the primary task of the state administration was to save human lives and provide shelter to the affected people.

Relief and rescue operations were getting hampered due to incessant rainfall since the past three days, he said.

''The rains haven't stopped even for some minutes. It has made our task more difficult,'' Mr Ahmed added.

The water-level in river Jhelum had crossed the danger mark of 18 ft at Sangam in south Kashmir on Friday night. The present water level is 39.60 ft, the officials added.

The water level at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar and Asham in north Kashmir was also above danger mark at 20.60 ft and 15.70 ft respectively.

MORE UNI AG MQA BST1338

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