Daijiworld Media Network

Jammu Sep 4: The death toll is on the rise as all the major rivers are flowing above the danger mark, led by River Jhelum, with 50 additional lives feared being lost as a bus fell into the dangerous waters. Earlier on Thursday, the accounted dead had been around 15, with the incessant rains triggering floods as well as landslides.

The bus fell in at Nowshera region of Rajouri district with police being able to confirm that 6 of the victims had been saved. Police also stated that the fast flowing water was causing a massive hurdle in the rescue operations being carried out in the region.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the situation at a high level meeting of the police and asked for all the possible help to given immediately. An alert has been sounded by the state as they also requested the Indian Air Force to keep helicopters on standby should they be required to rescue human lives.

Army troupes have already started getting involved in rescue operations. They have spread themselves out in Naoshera, Rajouri, Thanamandi and Poonch.

On Wednesday, five member of a family were killed in Reasi three in Poonch and two in Badgam. Villagers are house bound due the floods Anantnag, Kulam and Shopian districts. A BSF officer too lost his life trying to help rescue civilians. Met Office Director Sonam Lotus told IANS that more rainfall is expected in the state till Saturday but they expected a decrease after Saturday evening.

An alert has been sounded in Kulgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Shopian, Bandipora, Badgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Poonch, and other nearby districts. Haj flights scheduled to leave from Jammu to Saudi Arabia have also been cancelled for the next three days.