Live: 16 dead as floods ravage parts of Jammu and Kashmir

“We have retrieved fifteen bodies and one more is still missing,” SP Budgam Fayaz Ahmad said. “Rescue operation has been launched again today morning.”

Process to evacuate affected people was underway as eight teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were rushed to Kashmir. Armed forces, along with four helicopters, have been placed in readiness for deployment at short notice after local authorities declared a flood situation in the Valley.

An inundated locality in Srinagar on Monday. (Source: IE photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

The central government yesterday granted Rs 200 crore as immediate relief as Prime Minister Narendra Modi rushed minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to Kashmir for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and coordinate with state authorities with regard to the requirements.

Due to heavy rains over the weekend, river Jhelum was flowing above the danger mark at several places including Sangam in Anantnag district and Ram Munshi Bagh in the city.

(PHOTOS: Normal life hit in J&K after floods and landslides)

Flood water entered several low-lying areas of Kashmir, including capital Srinagar, leading to panic among the locals for whom memories of the devastating deluge only seven months back are fresh in mind.

JK CM Mufti Mohammad Saeed, who toured the city of srinagar facing a fresh flood threat, talking to traders at lal chowk.He promised siginificant help to businessmen who suffered losses during the devasting flood last on Monday. (Source: Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Over 280 people had died and tens of thousands left homeless and property worth hundreds of crores damaged in unprecedented floods in the state in September last year.

(With PTI inputs)