J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

J&K flood loss put at Rs 359 crore
Arwani (Beijbehara), September 10
As life limps back to normal in the flood-affected areas of Anantnag and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir, residents of Arwani township, near Beijbehara, continue to toil hard for restoring routine business by shifting back the stocks of essential commodities and goods back in position.

5 militants killed in encounters
Srinagar, September 10
Five militants, including three Pakistanis, a security personnel and two civilians were killed while troops rescued two persons taken hostage by an ultra in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, a police spokesman said today.

Minister quits, website says otherwise
Jammu, September 10
Mr Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who resigned from the council of ministers a week ago, continues to be a Cabinet minister, according to the website of the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

J&K flood loss put at Rs 359 crore
Tribune News Service

Arwani (Beijbehara), September 10
As life limps back to normal in the flood-affected areas of Anantnag and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir, residents of Arwani township, near Beijbehara, continue to toil hard for restoring routine business by shifting back the stocks of essential commodities and goods back in position.

This township, surrounded by over a dozen other villages, had faced the fury of floods, cutting its link roads with the major towns of Shopian, Kulgam and Beijbehara. The road to this township, about 10 km from the highway town of Beijbehara in Anantnag district, passes through splashing patches of muddy water divided by an overhead bridge on the under-construction rail line. The rainwater leading to flash floods in the brooks and rivulets from the mountains overlooking the area, settled in the houses and settlements in low-lying villages around, forcing the residents to move to safer places.

When schools in the four flood-affected districts in the Kashmir valley reopen after a week tomorrow, there continues uncertainty for the students of this township to reach Government High School still waterlogged. However, de-watering of the school premises and other important installation to restore links may lead to the beginning of a near-normal functioning of this school.

Many residents of this township continue to stay away with their acquaintances or relatives in other safer villages. “The government has provided at least one blanket to a family of five to 10 members”, said Abdul Ghani, an old farmer of the village.

Even as the shops in this little town have re-opened, the stocks of goods and essential commodities are still in demand. The dampness in the shops and business establishments housed in ground floors has led to a stinky atmosphere, waiting for good sunny days to get dried up.

Meanwhile, a nine-member inter-ministerial central team, headed by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms Mitali Sen Gavai, arrived here yesterday to assess the flood damages.

The damage caused by floods has been put at Rs 359 crore. Giving details to the Central team, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Basharat Ahmad, said the devastation had been caused to 54,504 hectares of land in 444 villages. This includes paddy, fruits and other crops.

Besides 589 water supply schemes and 531 culverts have been damaged. During floods 400 boats and the same numbers of trucks were pressed into service for the affected people.

The team was told that 82 buildings had been damaged in the floods. During the flash floods 148 medical teams were deployed, 81 tankers for supply of portable water were pressed into service, 11.5 lakh sand bags provided, 9,000 people were evacuated from marooned areas, 13 relief camps were established and 12,485 persons were put in relief camps with free rations.

Six deaths were reported and 15 persons injured in different areas due to flash floods. In all, 1,08,178 families comprising 6,21,458 souls were affected.

5 militants killed in encounters

Minister quits, website says otherwise
Our Correspondent