Patil to undertake aerial survey of avalanche-hit areas

Srinagar, Feb 22: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will undertake an aerial survey of the avalanche-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Patil will make an aerial survey of Kulgam, Shopian and Budgam. Besides meeting senior state government officers, he will also assess the situation in Anantnag district in south Kashmir. Before leaving for Delhi, he is also scheduled to meet affected people in Bhaderwah, which is Azad's hometown and assembly constituency. About 200 people were rescued while 12 people were killed in avalanches and blizzards that struck these areas in the first week of February.

According to defence sources, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has evacuated over 14 thousand people stranded on either side of Pir Panjal and in some villages following unprecedented snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir.

ANI