Srinagar: Mild rains returned to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday hampering rescue and relief work briefly in the flood-ravaged State. Nearly 2 lakh people have been evacuated by the Army and NDRF workers but hundreds of thousands are still marooned in various localities. Although agencies are racing against time to provide relief materials to those stranded, fears of an epidemic loom large. Rescuers have been forced to speed up supply of medical essentials and distribution of anti-diarrhoea and anti-infection medicines to prevent any outbreak.

A major source of worry is the carcasses of cattle floating in inundated areas, an NDRF personnel said. Around five medical camps have been set up in the submerged regions to provide medical assistance and four field hospitals have been set up by the Army in Awantipura, Anantnag and Patan. “We have intensified relief operations with the supply of water, ready-to-eat meals and medicines, but we need more water and food for those unwilling to leave their homes in Rajbagh, Batmaloo and Bemina areas. Mobile RO water systems are being used,” the NDRF worker added.

After days of missing in action, local police and government officials were finally seen in areas located at a higher altitude, where those rescued are waiting for food and news of their families. Many locals have also joined the Army, IAF and NDRF in relief operations, carrying water, food items, tents and blankets for those rendered homeless. “Majority of residents are helping in relief operations. However, there is a small section of separatists trying to disrupt relief effort. They are discouraging locals from distributing relief materials,” an NDRF officer said. A chopper was forced to return on Sunday without airdropping food and water packets after it was pelted with stones Rainawari locality.