Expressing grave concern over the grim situation of flood in Jammu and Kashmir which has claimed 107 lives so far, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today urged the Centre to declare the crisis a "national calamity".

She has also appealed to the Centre and state government to make every effort at relief and rehabilitation, according to a statement from the Congress. "(Senior party leader) Ghulam Nabi Azad and the state Congress (unit) have demanded that the situation in the state be declared a national calamity and the Congress President has expressed hope that the Government of India will take necessary steps for the same," the party said.

Gandhi is in constant touch with state leaders of the Congress, which along with its ally National Conference is in power there, to keep herself abreast of the ground situation, it said.