M A I N   N E W S

J-K flood fury
Civil Sectt reopens, but no work yet
Only 20% staff report for work
Ehsan Fazili and Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
With the flood situation “improving fast” and the water level receding further, the Civil Secretariat, the seat of Jammu and Kashmir Government, re-opened today after 12 days after the unprecedented floods hit the summer capital city.

However, nearly 20 per cent of employees reported for duty on the first day. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a majority of his Cabinet colleagues, whose offices are housed in the secretariat complex, did not turn up to attend their offices. The Civil Secretariat complex is close to the state Assembly and the state High Court and continues to remain under two feet of water. The floods had paralyzed the day-to-day life with waters flooding the populated areas, particularly in the densely populated Srinagar city. The offices, schools, banks and educational institutions were closed and the life came to a standstill.

Focus of the government agencies and security forces has now turned to relief operations and medical facilities. Several relief camps have come up in different areas for the evacuated people. Many residents continue to be in their places in the city and were trying to salvage whatever was possible from the mud and the slush accumulated during the floods.

The government had asked the secretariat employees to report for duty today. The aim behind the opening of the civil secretariat was is to send a signal to the people that the administration is back in action after the flooding. Out of 3,500 employees working in different departments in the secretariat complex, 744 employees reported for duty. However, they went back as the complex was still inundated. Chaos and confusion prevailed at the main entrance of the secretariat complex since morning. The employees had to remove their shoes and fold their trousers to reach the main entrance of the secretariat. Many had arrived in their cars but had to abandon them at the front gate as the water level inside the complex was still high.

Still inundated

• Out of 3,500 employees working in the secretariat complex, 744 employees reported for duty
• However, they went back as the complex was still inundated.
• Even though 15 engines were made functional to dewater the area, the water level did not recede
• The government had kept trucks and tippers ready to ferry employees up to the secretariat complex.