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CM visits flood-hit areas in Poonch
Meteorological employees recall that fateful Saturday night
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Train services resumed partially in Valley
New Delhi, September 15 After remaining disrupted for 11 days, the Railways today partially resumed train services in Kashmir valley following restoration of tracks damaged by flood waters. Train services commenced between Srinagar and Baramulla, said a senior Northern Railway official. The first train departed from Budgam to Baramulla at 12 noon and will commence its return service to Srinagar and thereon.
Varsity teachers donate one-day salary for
relief
From Siachen to Jammu, soldier battles odds
Post-rain fury, 10 villages in Kishtwar face landslide threat
Telecom operator to give SIM cards without ID proof
Mobile connectivity still affected in Srinagar
Jitendra takes stock of relief measures in Reasi
Admn launches control room to trace missing
DC constitutes flying squads for fair relief distribution
KVS to raise funds for flood victims
J&K Bank gears up for insurance claims
Army saves lives of four BSF jawans
Now, residents of Jammu face water shortage
Army builds bridge over Bisleri Nullah on highway
Sharnarthi committee seeks action against stone-throwers
Army comes to rescue of two patients in Jammu village
Govt constructs Panchayat Ghar on historic pond
State taekwondo team bags 7 medals in national meet
3,000 participate in 3rd Ladakh Marathon
206 attend medical camp in Akhnoor
MV school releases newsletter 2 BSF jawans injured in IED blast
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CM visits flood-hit areas in Poonch
Poonch, September 15 “The major challenge before us after the decreasing level of water is to fight with the water-borne diseases and we are prepared for that,” Omar told reporters during his visit to flood-hit Poonch district. The Chief Minister said the connectivity on the Mughal road had been restored to send relief material to Srinagar. Earlier, he also visited flood-affected areas in Poonch and reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the government. He convened a meeting of district officials at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Poonch, where the DC briefed him about the losses in the district due to the recent rainfall and flash flood. The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on the measures taken by the district administration to provide relief and rehabilitation material to the flood and rainfall victims. Omar directed the district administration to speed up the restoration of essential services like power and water supply in the district. The Chief Minister also paid a visit to a relief camp at Gujjar and Bakkarwal Hostel, Poonch where he met with the victims and assured them of all sorts of help for their rehabilitation. Addressing the flood victims at Gujjar and Bakkarwal Hostel, he said the government was aware of the problems being faced by the flood victims and assured all help for their rehabilitation. Omar also held a public meeting at Dak Banglow, Surankote, where he assured all those who have been affected by the flash floods of providing full compensation. He directed the authorities to expedite the process of relief distribution and restoration of essential services. He asked the DC to ensure availability of food, blankets and other items of requirement to the flood-hit families. |
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Meteorological employees recall that fateful Saturday night
Jammu, September 15 Within minutes, the ground floor of the building, one of the strategic assets in militancy infested state, was under water with staff and senior scientists shifting whatever they could lay their hand on to the second floor to save critical information gathered over years on hard disks of their computers. “Water came without warning in minutes and it was the most terrible thing I have seen as a weatherman during my career. We had predicted heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir on September 2, but had not expected that the Jhleum will breach its banks,” said Sonum Lotus, regional Director,
IMD, to The Tribune over phone from Srinagar. As the water level began to increase, during the whole night staff members could not do anything other than watching its rising steadily with only prayers on their lips to stop it from engulfing the
two-storey building. By Sunday morning, the whole area was submerged under 10 ft of water, touching the second floor of the IMD office, where the terrified and nervous staff had taken shelter. “Though we managed to save important documents as my staff risked life to move some computers and hard drives to the second flood, but several pieces of equipment were damaged, which led to the office not been able to relay any information since September 7,” Lotus said. Luckily, on Monday, when water suddenly receded in the area, we gathered courage to leave the building. “The level was still about 4 ft when we took a risk of escaping on our own. It was not a good idea to stay in the building without water and food, so all of my staff members moved out on foot,” said Sonum Lotus. In recent years, with the introduction of sophisticated equipment, the IMD
centre, Srinagar, and Sonum Lotus have become very popular on social networking sites as weather predictions, particularly during winter months, are almost correct. Its Facebook page is also popular among people as the site keeps posting weather information on the daily basis. Despite facing one of the worst conditions, the IMD staff, which include several non-local scientists and locals, are back to work to clear the debris and slit in the office and efforts are being made to start services at the earliest with whatever equipment left. The Meteorological
Centre, Srinagar, was established in 1973 to provide agro meteorological advisory service and rainfall and snowfall information to the Valley residents. But since late 1980s its operations have been expanded to provide weather information to the Army and Air Force deployed on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) facing the Chinese Red Army in the eastern Ladakh and Line of Control
(LoC), facing the Pakistani army in occupied Kashmir. Since improvement in the remote-sensing technology, the Srinagar centre also keeps an eye on the changing weather systems in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for strategic reasons after the snow tsunami hit the state in February 2005. |
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Train services resumed partially in Valley
New Delhi, September 15 “Efforts are in full swing to restore the rail traffic in the remaining parts of the Kashmir valley,” the official said. The services were disrupted as the tracks were damaged due to floods following incessant rains, he said, adding that at some places people had taken shelter near railway tracks and rail premises. The Northern Railway has taken several measures for people stranded in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, like running special trains from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu to different parts of the country and attaching extra coaches to regular services. Arrangements have also been made for free transportation of relief material by trains to Jammu and Udhampur. A special train was made operational from Jammu to Indore via New Delhi to clear stranded passengers and extra coaches were being added to regular trains as per requirement, the official said. Railways was also facilitating their journey to places like Islampur, Allahabad, Araria Cantt, Bettiah, Katihar, Lalganj, Narkatiaganj, Purania, Kiahanganj, Darbhanga, Bugha, Malda Town and Jogbani. The Northern Railway, along with NGOs and gurdwaras, was also providing free of cost food to the stranded passengers at these stations. Railways’ doctors, along with medical teams, are also attending to those in need. Exclusive waiting rooms have been earmarked for their use at New Delhi Station. “In case of onward journey requirement from New Delhi and any other assistance, passengers can contact Station Manager (mobile no. 9717648892) and Deputy Station Manager (9717631960),” the official said. Help desks have also been set up at Jammu, Udhampur and Katra railway stations for the convenience of passengers. A special help desk of railways has also been set up at T-3 terminal of the Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi.
PTI Railways takes steps for stranded passengers
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Varsity teachers donate one-day salary for
relief
Jammu, September 15 The meeting was held under the chairmanship of JUTA president Professor Dalip Singh Jamwal. The members expressed condolences to the bereaved family and observed a two-minute silence. Showing solidarity with the affected people of the state, the JUTA decided to help in the ongoing relief operations by donating their one-day salary towards the Prime Minister Relief Fund. Speaking on the occasion, the JUTA president said they had always shown such gestures in difficult times in the past. They urged the government that in order to meet such disasters, the state should put in place adequate measures, infrastructure so as minimize the loss of lives and property. All the members were appreciative of the help extended to the victims by the defence forces and the NDRF. School holds special prayer for flood-hit
Jammu: Delhi Public School (DPS), Jammu, organised a special prayer meeting on the school premises to express
grief on the loss of lives and movable and immovable property worth crores of rupees due to flash floods/heavy rain in the state. A two-minute silence was also observed in order to pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and give strength to the people to bear the loss of their near and dear ones due to the natural disaster. Speaking on the occasion, Additional Director /Principal Dr D Joseph informed about the terrible and difficult situation from which the people of the state were passing through. She also advised the students of the school to donate generously for the distressed people in order to grant some relief to them. Shri Ram Mandir Committee collects material
Jammu: Members of the Shri Ram Mandir Committee, Nanak Nagar, under the leadership of their president Pappu Choudhary collected relief material for flood-affected people here today. The relief material that was collected today was later handed over to senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta which will later be distributed to the flood-affected people. Speaking on the occasion, Choudhary expressed shock over human and property loss in the recent flash flood and said it was the duty of all citizens of the country in general and J&K in particular to help the affected in their hour of crisis.He expressed full solidarity with the people who suffered in the floods and said the committee would provide them all possible help. |
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From Siachen to Jammu, soldier battles odds
Jammu, September 15 On September 6, when flash floods submerged Jammu, Pravesh was again entrusted with the task of saving lives. The most affected village was Surechak near Mandal in Jammu where hundreds of people were trapped. The whole area was inundated and the only bridge to Mandal from Jammu collapsed, making rescue operations difficult. The officer along with his team evacuated people to safer locations, carrying them on their shoulders and in boats. However, during his fourth trip to evacuate people, the boat in which the team was travelling capsized, trapping all in the high water current. Displaying exemplary courage, Major Pravesh and his team swam towards the drowning villagers, pulled them out of water and carried them to a safer location. Seeing the futility of going against the roaring Niki Tawi river, he convinced all civilians to leave their homes and gather on a rooftop for air evacuation. He constantly motivated his team and the civilians, thereby preventing panic, even as neighbouring houses collapsed one by one. His communication equipment had been washed away in the floods, but he maintained his cool and utilised a villager’s mobile phone. The only number he remembered was of his wife. He dialed the number and gave his location and updated his wife on the current situation. His wife immediately informed the matter to the Commanding Officer. An SOS call was soon given to the Indian Air Force and Army helicopters. The inclement weather condition was hindering the evacuation process but the soldier used innovative methods to indicate their location to the pilots and ensured correct positioning of the helicopter on the rooftop. This resulted in evacuation of all remaining villagers. The officer evacuated seven personnel during a major fire at the highest post in the world, Ashok Post at the Siachen Glacier, on July 20, 2011.
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Post-rain fury, 10 villages in Kishtwar face landslide threat
Doda, September 15 “Ajna, Chatroo, Changer,
Mingli, Margi are among the 10 villages of Kishtwar which are facing grave threat…. I have requested Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu to provide tents for the rehabilitation of these families,” Khan said. “I raised the issue in the meeting and demanded early rehabilitation of people living in these areas. Any delay in action can prove fatal,” he said. According to reports these villages were constantly sinking post earthquakes in the Chenab valley region and deep fissures were visible on the ground. However, despite repeated assurances from the administration no steps have been taken for the rehabilitation of people living in these areas. The DC said last year’s earthquake in the Chenab region developed cracks among several houses in these villages. “Even 300 houses have collapsed so far in recent rainfall in
Kishtwar,” he said. “I have demanded 300 tents so that we can start rehabilitation process in these villages,” Khan added. He also mentioned that 123 public health engineering schemes were collapsed due to the recent catastrophe. “Many bridges and roads have been washed away. We have faced 100 per cent damaged to our crops,” the DC said. “We have demanded Rs 32 crore for temporary restoration and Rs 46 crore for complete restoration of schemes damaged in recent rainfall in the district,” Khan said. |
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Telecom operator to give SIM cards without ID proof
Jammu, September 15 In a statement issued to the media, the telecom operator announced: “As per the DOT guidelines, we have created special SIM which is being issued to the public at large without proof of identity or residence.” Most of the residents
of Kashmir have lost their identity proofs in the floods, so the company has decided
to provide them SIM cards without identity proof so that they can get in touch with their loved ones. The company also announced that with the support and cooperation of the authorities, Vodafone today was one of the top operators providing maximum coverage in the Valley. Vodafone said it was ensuring connectivity for its customers by restoring its network and providing connectivity to other subscribers through the intra-circle roaming arrangement with other private operators and vice-versa. The company said its network had been restored in many important towns of Kashmir which include Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantang, Pahalgam, Ashmuqam, Seer, Mattan, Qazigund, Kukernag, Achabal, Pulwama, Tral, Awantipora, Chadoora, Budgam, Charar-e-Sharif, Magam, Bandipora, Sopore, Pattan, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Drugmulla, Kreeri and Handwara. The network is also covering all important places of Kashmir such as
Hazratbal, Lal Chowk, Budgam Railway Station and Srinagar Airport. The company is also providing daily free 60 local/STD minutes to
their customers since September 12. |
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Mobile connectivity still affected in Srinagar
Srinagar, September 15 “Today I was not able to contact people, especially those having BSNL numbers. Though I was able to call many people yesterday and day before, today there was no contact,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a local. Even though the BSNL has offered free calls to its customers for the next few days, people say they should first focus on improving connectivity. “What is the point of offering free calls when there is no connectivity? Since most of the officials have got BSNL numbers, the BSNL authorities should ensure connectivity first,” Imtiyaz said. While several private operators have resumed services, people here say connectivity has not yet been restored at several places, especially those which are still submerged. “I have still not been able to contact my relatives that had got struck at Magarmal
Bagh. Even though I came to know that water has mostly receded there and some have even shifted back, mobile phones there still are non-functional. The authorities should give top priority to restoring full mobile and internet connectivity,” said a
resident of uptown Rawalpora. |
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Jitendra takes stock of relief measures in Reasi
Reasi, September 15 The minister assured all possible help to the flood victims. He asked Bhatt to submit a comprehensive memorandum of losses occurred due to floods/landslides to the government as soon as possible. Earlier, the Union Minister along with senior officers of the district conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas in Reasi district to assess the prevailing situation. He later on also distributed relief material among the flood victims. The DC presented an overview of the situation and relief measures taken by the district administration to save the lives and evacuate people from
the flood and landslide affected areas. He informed Singh that about 20 deaths have
been reported from the district and one person was still missing. Bhatt further said 811 houses have been fully damaged while 1,021 houses were partially damaged in the recent rain and flash floods. He said 390 cattle sheds had also been damaged during flash floods/ landslide. Nearly 120 villages of the district have been affected in the district, the DC said. The Senior Superintendent of Police,
Reasi, MLA Baldev Raj Sharma and MLC Jugal Kishor Sharma were also present on the occasion. |
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Admn launches control room to trace missing
Jammu, September 15 Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu said on the directions of the
Centre, the state administration had established a central control to trace the missing persons in Kashmir. He said the centre would work on the lines of a call centre and remain active till the list of missing persons is reduced to nil. The centre will provide round the clock service. “Call executives will take calls from the family members of lost persons and pass on the details to the Deputy Commissioners concerned, Army headquarters, Air Force and will call back the victim’s family after getting information of the person,” said the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. “Amit Sharma, Special Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, has been appointed as the in charge of the centre while officers of several departments have been attached with it,” he said. Initially four numbers would be operational, which are 0191-2471522, 2471922, 2472022 and 2472322. “In addition, a Facebook page, Operation Connect J&K, will also be launched by the government to find the missing persons,” he said.
— TNS |
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DC constitutes flying squads for fair relief distribution
Rajouri, September 15 The Deputy Commissioner has showed anguish over the several complaints from the flood victims and directed all the chiefs of these flying squads to submit reports to him about the relief distribution on the daily basis. Deputy Commissioner in his today’s order said the relief material is being distributed among natural calamity victims through SDMs and tehsildars concerned under the overall supervision of Mohammad Saleem Malik, ADDC (Nodal Officer). He added that as per complaints the relief was not being properly distributed by the officials concerned. For proper distribution of relief material among the actual victims he had constituted seven flying squads (committees) for Khawas, Kotranka, Darhal, Thanamandi, Manjakot, Rajouri tehsils and Dungi block. Chief Education Officer will be the chairman of the Rajouri flying squad, Project Officer, Haryali, of the Kotranka squad, DS&E Officer of the Manjakot squad, Rajouri Development Authority CEO of the Thanamandi squad, the ACD of the Darhal squad and BDOs of Khawas and Doongi of the Khawas and Dungi flying squads, respectively. All the tehsildars concerned are the member secretary of these flying squads. More than 400 flood victims from Ghambir Muglan (Manjakot) have refused to take about 100 relief packets which were dropped by the DDC and SSP near Army post and to be distributed by the Army among the victims.
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KVS to raise funds for flood victims
Jammu, September 15 It is shocking to hear about the catastrophe in Jammu and Kashmir, which made hundreds of people to lose their
valuable lives and thousands of others were rendered homeless. This is high time our scouts
and guides help the victims, it added. A KVS official said the campaign by the scouts and guides would be held before October 15 and the funds raised from all the schools of the Sangathan would be sent to the regional office concerned within a period of 10 days. “The regional offices will send the same to the State Secretary, KVS Headquarters, New Delhi, in a single draft. The draft will be in favour of ‘KVS State Association of Scout & Guide Fund payable at New Delhi’ latest by October 30, so that the same amount may be send to the Prime Ministers
Relief Fund by the New Delhi office,” the official said. “This noble initiative of the KVS would definitely go a long way in inspiring others to do whatever they can for the flood-affected people of J&K and to give the affected a feeling that the whole country is behind them in this hour of crisis,” he said. |
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J&K Bank gears up for insurance claims
Srinagar, September 15 “Our topmost priority is to keep in mind the sensitivities of our customers and make their claims process hassle-free. We want to assure our customers that we stand by them in this hour of crisis,” said Aijaz Khan, state head, J&K and Punjab, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Khan said the customers could also contact their nearest J&K Bank branch for any claims-related assistance. Bajaj Allianz has a tie-up with J&K Bank for insurance solutions. PK Tickoo, president (Insurance), J&K Bank, said they had restored operations in many areas of the Valley and would ensure speedy assistance to the customers affected by the floods. A J&K Bank spokesman said the special team that had been formed to settle ‘maximum claims on priority’ could be reached at the toll-free number 18002097072. He said the customers could also reach the company on the following helpline numbers for any claim-related assistance: 0191-2501728, 0191-2501746, 0194-2471098, 0194-2457254 and 9622020280. He said the company had also issued a special advisory for its motor insurance customers.
— TNS |
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Army saves lives of four BSF jawans
Jammu, September 15 On September 6, when the Tawi was completely ferocious and destroying everything that came in its way four BSF jawans were stranded in one of the nakas near own internal boundary. They were hardly hopeful of any team coming for their rescue. These jawans had been holding on to their ambush location since night, which was actually a piece of a high ground, barely 10m x 5m in dimension along the Zero Line. “But, their SOS call didn’t go in vain and a rescue team under the Commander, Makwal area, came on an advanced light helicopter. Approaching the naka location, the pilots noticed that there was no space for landing. Hence, the troops could only be evacuated by winching, ie through special ropes tied along the waist,” informed the PRO, Defence, Jammu. He said during the rescue operation a paratrooper, Havaldar Dharampal Singh, who had accompanied the rescue team, despite all odds, jumped out of the helicopter and secured the BSF jawans with the safety rope. The swift decision taken by the rescue team saved four precious lives of men in uniform. |
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Now, residents of Jammu face water shortage
Jammu, September 15 The residents of Jammu city are facing a shortage of drinking water for the last 15 days, as the scarcity started with a strike called by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department on September 1. After the employees called off their strike, floods hit the state in which the PHE lost their infrastructure. “Whatever the damages were during the flood, it should have been restored properly till now. Why the department is delaying the restoration, as it is among the essential services,” said Kanshi Ram Pandita, a resident of Janipur. Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, PHE, said 90 per cent water supply had been restored in Jammu district. Only some parts of Belicharana and Akhnoor were left as these places were badly affected in the floods. “We are on job and the water supply will be restored at these places soon,” he said. “Temporary restoration has been done in the city. Our teams are working for the permanent restoration and it will be done soon,” he added. |
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Army builds bridge over Bisleri Nullah on highway
Ramsu (Ramban), September 15 The bridge was constructed to shift Jammu-bound flood victims who have to bypass the damaged national highway stretch between Hingni-Banihal and Gangru-Ramsu. Col S Chatterji said, “The fresh sliding of a portion of a footpath above, which was under repair, damaged a highway stretch (over the nullah) on Saturday evening and hampered the movement of the migrating flood victims from the Valley. It prompted the Army to construct the 26.5mt x 1.2mt foot bridge today morning.” The work on the bridge began at 5 pm yesterday. It took 200 Army men and IRCON engineers to construct the bridge. — OC
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Govt constructs Panchayat Ghar on historic pond
Jammu, September 15 Despite a campaign launched by a few locals, the administration constructed the building at Maralia village in the RS Pura block after filling up a part of the pond, thus threatening the last vestige of the period heritage. "It was a 200-year-old pond and during the rule of the Maharaja, it is said that it was a place for picnic for the royalty. For the bravery of General Mohar Singh, founder of J&K state, Maharaja Gulab Singh had granted about 500 kanals of land which contained the pond," said Lalit Kumar, a local environmentalist fighting to save the pond. He said after the land Act was implemented in the 1950s by the state, the land around the pond changed hands several times, but the pond was not touched till about three years ago, when the Panchayat Ghar was built. "We Dogras are losing our heritage. If proper steps are taken, the pond could again become a picnic spot keeping in view its historical significance," he said. The traditional ponds used to play an important part in the rural life of Jammu, but the rapid urbanisation has slowly destroyed the traditional ponds, particularly in the Kandi area. Most of them have either turned into garbage dumping places or have been encroached upon by the people, with the administration watching as a mute spectator. |
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State taekwondo team bags 7 medals in national meet
Jammu, September 15 The championship was organised by the Taekwondo Federation of India. Atul Pangotra, Commonwealth Games medallist, retained his title by clinching gold in the individual category, while Arvind Satti, Sunil Singh and Tashi Tundup bagged the silver. In dual pair event, Tashi Tundup and Shahnaz Parveen clinched bronze medal. Chairman of
the J&K Taekwondo Association Anil Gupta and other office-bearers congratulated the team
for their outstanding performance. The state team comprised Sanjay Kumar, Atul Pangotra, Anuj
Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Narainder Sharma, Burhan Khan, Sunil Singh, Arvind Kumar Satti, Shazia Batool,
Shahnaz Parveen, Sunil Singh, Adnan Beig, Anil Khajuria, Yashumant, Nitsh Anand and
Rajat Thakur.
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3,000 participate in 3rd Ladakh Marathon
Jammu, September 15 The event was aimed at encouraging sports in Ladakh and fostering national spirit. It was categorised in four different events — the 72-km Khardung La Challenge Ultra Marathon, full marathon, half marathon and the 7-km run. Held at an altitude of 3,524
metre, the Ladakh Marathon is the world’s highest and toughest marathon. Rifleman Shabbir Hussain of the Ladakh Scouts won the 72-km category, while recruit Shokat Ali clinched the top position in full marathon, a Defence spokesperson said. Riflemen Rigzin Nurboo and Tsering Gyatso finished second and third respectively in the ultra marathon. Recruit Fayaz Ali bagged third position in full marathon. Member of Parliament Thupstan
Chhewang; Chief Executive Councillor, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar and District Commissioner,
Leh, Simrandeep Singh were present on the occasion. |
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206 attend medical camp in Akhnoor
Jammu, September 15 The camp was organised with the help of Trilochan Sharma, sarpanch of the village. This is the third camp in the series. A total of 206 patients were seen by a team of doctors comprising Dr Adnan Rafiq, Dr Mayank Sharma, Dr Sushant, Dr Dipti, Dr Sakshi, Dr Narita
Jamwal, Dr Niharika, Dr Asma Shaheen and Dr VK Bhan. Dr Tirath Singh, Assistant Medical Superintendent, ASCOMS, was the nodal officer of the camp. Free of cost medicines were distributed among patient and health education was imparted to them. They were told about prevention of water-borne and other communicable disease. The community outreach services of the ASCOMS Hospital were highly appreciated by the people of the area.
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Poonch, September 15
Jammu, September 15
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has instructed its regional offices across the country to involve scouts and guides and their leaders
to raise fund for the Jammu and Kashmir flood victims. The amount would be collected in a single draft and the same would be sent to the Prime Minister Relief Fund by the office, a KVS statement said.
Jammu, September 15
A historic pond associated with General Mohar Singh, who played an important role in consolidating the Dogra rule over Gilgit and Baltistan in the 1850s, has been reportedly encroached upon by the state government where a Panchayat Ghar has been constructed.
