Jammu: The Indian Army today activated its
disaster management cell to undertake rescue operations on a
war footing across Ladakh region where torrential rains and
flash-floods triggered by a cloudburst claimed over 110 lives.
The primary objective of the operations is to save
maximum possible life and property from further damage and to
extricate stranded civilians from isolated areas, a Defence
release said here this evening.
Army has had to suffer losses in the rescue operations
which are being conducted in coordination with the civil
administration, it said.
More than 15 army columns have been deployed for rescue
purpose. Detachments of the formation located at various
places on the highway, too, were activated to provide
relief and shelter to stranded civilians and foreign tourists.
All aid was extended to evacuate them to safer areas,
using army vehicles. While the priority of the relief
operations of the army is on saving life and property from
further damage, succour is being provided in the form of food,
drinking water, medicines and other assistance, to the
affected, it said.
Dozers and other earth moving equipment of the army were
also pressed into operations to clear the slide areas and
restore communications at the earliest.
Bureau Report
