Srinagar, October 17
Widely praised for the leading and effective role it played in responding to the October 8 earthquake in Kashmir, the Army is now preparing to take a step back and play more of a “supporting role” in the relief operations.
The 7.4 Richter quake killed more than 1200 people while injuring around 6000, in villages around Uri and Tangdhar this side of the Line of Control. A total of 36,693 houses were damaged.
“Because we were deployed in all the forward areas, we were there in situ when the quake happened. So we responded. Now we have to step back, and let the civil administration take over. But we will still play a supporting role, as the civil set-up does not have the infrastructure that we have”, said a Defence Ministry spokesperson.
The army has so far distributed around 4,000 tents, and the total number of tents distributed, including those from other sources, will not cross 6000, a patently inadequate number.
Moreover, given the dropping temperature, rain, snow, and windy conditions, better forms of shelter will be required. “Care India has promised about 10,000 tents, and the first installment of 1000 will only arrive tomorrow”, says Brigadier S.M. Mehta, HQ, 15 Corps.
“Moreover, these tents will be useful for a maximum period of a month or so. What is needed now are building materials like CGI sheets, plywood boards and the like with which shelters can be set up. May be even cement. We have put out such a message to all those who want to contribute”.
The army was coordinating distribution of relief material received from various sources, and was doing so based on a list of villages, with requirements clearly indicated, he said. “The quantities of relief material received by us are not big, but more are on the way”.
The civil administration has widely been criticised for an inadequate response, but is now gearing up to play a larger role. The very fact that tents are arriving in small batches, nine days after the quake, is an indication of the lag in delivery, even if resources are not a constraint.
The lag is serious, as the nature of the requirement itself has begun to shift. The response now has to move from rescue and relief, to rehabilitation, but the system is nowhere ready to do so.
The Army itself lost 34 people, with 11 missing, while the paramilitary forces lost another 26 personnel. “We essentially depleted our winter stocks in responding to the disaster”, noted a defence official. An estimated 249 sorties were flown, most on MI-17, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. 22 heavy lift IL-76 sorties were also flown between New Delhi and Srinagar. Some 145 tonnes of rations, 81,000 blankets, along with thousands of water bottles, I.U fluids, mattresses and other supplies have been distributed.
“A lot of money has been donated as well. Initial figures indicate that unit regimental fund contributions, meant for troops’ welfare, have alone totaled Rs 14 lakh”, the spokesman stated.
“The Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) has contributed around Rs 5 lakh. A set of 4000 composite packages, which will include various necessities put together from Canteen Stores Department (CSD) supplies, is being readied. This will be given to families”.
All villages have been accessed, by now. The road to Tangadhar was blocked for about an hour yesterday, but has now been cleared. Efforts are also on to clear blocked mountain tracks, so that mules loaded with relief material can proceed unhindered.
Two truckloads of relief material from Bharat Petroleum were handed over to Brigadier Mehta by Rajeev Sharma, Area Marketing Manager, Chandigarh, today.
