CALAMITY// Hit by one of the worst flood in over 60 years, Jammu and Kashmir has claimed 277 lives so far. As constant rains and landslides in September played havoc with the state’s rivers that were overflowing, the state’s citizens were left stranded, waiting for help and relief in the form of food, medicines and clothes.

What’s worse, the state needs to work against time and start the process of rehabilitation, what with the threat of biting winters just around the corner. Prime Minister has announced an assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the state, and Rs five crore have already been provided from the PM’s Relief Fund.

The Indian Army has played a major role in relief work and is performing on two fronts – saving civilian life and property, while also saving its own installations. Other agencies are also working on a war footing to provide relief and work towards rehabilitation of the state. The Haryana government will send electrical vertical pumps to clear out regions inundated with water. This is in addition to the earlier financial assistance of Rs 10 crore, with medicines worth Rs 50 lakh, 50,000 blankets and food items. Apart from national personalities and organisations, the Gates Foundation is also pitching in and has announced $7lakh for the state’s relief work. The apple and saffron crops have also been affected as a significant loss of the two is being feared. Apart from these, those in the carpet and pashmina business are distraught are seeing their merchandise worth lakhs ruined because of the water.