Six additional flights likely to operate from Leh today

LEH - At least six additional commercial flights are expected to operate from Leh on Sunday to evacuate tourists stranded there following flash floods sparked off by Friday’s cloudburst, which have claimed at least 150 lives so far.

Union Home Secretary G. K Pillai said the Jammu and Kashmir Government has requested the Centre to operate additional civilian flights so that stranded tourists can leave town.

Pillai further said weather conditions have not improved yet in the region.

“There are other areas in the district which could again get affected landslides and so on. District administration is aware of it and taking action,” he added.

Steps have been taken as several thousand tourists were stranded in Leh and its surrounding areas.

The Leh airport is located at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level. he cloudburst triggered flash floods on Thursday night that also inundated the airport runway.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police have set up four rehabilitation centers for the affected people of Leh.

Besides, Leh 24-hours helplines (ph.09906990787, 09906990835) have been opened.

Fifteen Army columns have been deployed and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing.

Satellite telecom equipment is being flown from Delhi to restore mobile and telephone connectivity in the city and adjoining areas, where communication services have snapped. (ANI)