Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 13: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that Central Government was ready to meet any challenge, even with regard to the health of the people as there are apprehensions of epidemic threat in flood affected areas of Kashmir and parts of marooned Jammu areas and the Medical teams from Delhi and other parts are being rushed to the State.
The Union Health Minister, who was accompanied by Union Health Secretary, Nilanjan Sanyal and the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu paid visit to Poonch, Akhnoor, Khour, Pargwal, Tawi island- Phallian Mandal and had aerial survey of some areas of Rajouri and Nowshera and some parts of Akhnoor told reporters that he was specially deputed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have on the spot assessment of the flood and rain affected areas of Jammu region and review the preparedness of the State Health authorities to tackle any possible epidemic as aftermath of floods, as many areas were marooned in the State including parts of Kashmir.
Replying to a question, the Union Minister said as already stated by the Prime Minister, there is no limit to the relief and assistance to the State from the Centre. The J&K has suffered due to devastating natural calamity and still many areas of Kashmir are under water. Centre is rendering all possible help and the Armed Forces, besides SDRF teams are involved in major rescue and relief work. In order to meet any challenge, even in case of spreading of any epidemic, the Centre was ready.
“The situation that has arisen as a result of incessant rains is unprecedented and the Prime Minister has already declared it a National calamity. I have been apprised of all the damages, both life and property by the Dy Commissioners which I will communicate to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister himself is closely monitoring the relief and rescue operation,” the Union Minister maintained.
Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the Medical teams are being rushed from Delhi and other parts of the country to the flood affected areas of Kashmir and even parts of Jammu. The State Health authorities have been directed to press Medical teams to various affected areas so that much needed health care facilities be provided to the public at their door steps at the time of need. They are being directed to visit relief and rehabilitation camps. The Army Medical teams are already on the job in Valley and other parts, the Health Minister maintained.
The Union Health Minister is paying visit to Kashmir tomorrow along with Health Secretary. He would also visit several relief camps in various parts of Srinagar and other parts and also convene a high level meeting of the State Health officers and review preparedness to meet any challenge with regard to emerging health related problems. He returned to the Union capital this afternoon.
Earlier, the Union Minister accompanied by Dy Commissioner M H Malik, SSP Shamsheer Hussain and BJP district president besides others paid visit to Relief Camps, District Hospital and talked to the affected families and patients or those injured in land slides and house collapse incidents. He asked the CMO and other staff to provide every possible assistance to the victims. He also paid visit to Sher-e-Kashmir bridge which has been washed away along with approach road. It was suggested to the officers and district Administration to increase the pillars of the bridge and not allow any habilitation along both sides, closer to the river and also remove all the illegal encroachment in the interest of the public.
Meanwhile, reports from some areas of Khawas, Kotranka, Budhal, Manjakote, Darhal in Rajouri and Bhamag and Mahore in Reasi said that many areas were still cut off and affected people have not received relief material. In some locations there air-dropping of relief material is yet awaited.
At Kot Chalwal in Khwas area of Koranka, Sarpanch Shokat Ali said that nearly 40 houses have been damaged fully and 78 partially in the area. No Revenue official has ever visited there. No tents, blankets, food material or any sort of relief has been provided to the affected people. Only locals of the area are helping them through their own meager resources. There is no air dropping at the village so far. Eight families are sitting at Health Sub Centre Chakli, six at Govt Primary School Reti, nine at Govt Middle School Solah and some in the open. The cattle of many villagers have also killed and no Veterinary team has paid visit there. Road link was not restored. Chain Singh Sarpanch alleged that massive damage has been caused in Keri and Bela area of Khawas. No relief has been provided to the area. Shanker Dass from Gonda in Khwas has also criticized authorities for turning nelson’s eye towards the plight of the affected people of this areas. He said several families are taking shelter in schools. Chopper was noticed flying over the area and flags were shown and even smoke was also released but no air dropping of relief was witnessed so far. Even at Dalogra village near Rajouri the people are waiting for relief.
Reasi-Pouni-Shiv Khori road is cut off for the last eight days and the traffic could not be restored by BRO men. There is acute shortage of ration, water and power supply in this entire belt. Several land slides could not be cleared so far. The people have criticized District authorities for slackness on their part. In Udhampur, Ghordi-Barmeen road is also yet to be restored by the R&B authorities and people from nearly five Panchayats are suffering.
Des Raj Tripathy, a social worker from Gordi has alleged their village is about 36 km from Udhampur and road link has not been restored in last eight days. The power to many areas is also affected but water supply in some areas has been restored. One Abdul Majid from Kalaban in Mendhar alleged that about seven houses were completely damaged at Mohalla Awan Julhari but no relief has been provided to the affected people. The families are shelterless and sitting in open.
National Conference MLA from Poonch Ajaz Jan, accompanied by provincial president Devender Rana (MLC) paid visit to Poonch and parts of Surankote and toom stock of the situation. They also visited Sher-e-Kashmir bridge site and several relief camps and listened to the problems of the affected people. They assured every possible help from the Government to them. They also met the people who have turned homeless. Later, they had meeting with the DC and SSP and reviewed the over all situation. They asked the District Administration to gear up relief and restoration work.
Meanwhile, Kishtwar Police in collaboration with civil administration have established temporary Control Room fully equipped with wireless communication and other basic infrastructures at various locations on Kishtwar-Sinthan top road. The only link road which connect the Kashmir valley of with rest of the country.
The Control Rooms along with the sufficient deployment of manpower under the command and control of DySP DAR, Kishtwar were established at Kokernag (Kashmir valley), Sinthantop, Potato Farm in order to regulate the smooth flow of traffic from Srinagar to Jammu and back and also provide the basic facilities to the flood affected people of Kashmir. At present, this is the only route through which all the relief material, essential commodities, medicine etc can be transported to flood affected Valley.
A team of senior officer comprising of DySP and a KAS officer is camping at Kokernag alongwith manpower and vehicles for the transportation of flood affected people in co-ordination with police and civil administration of Anantnag distirct. Till now this team have managed to rescue, transport the large number of flood affected victims who were trapped in Kashmir valley via Sinthantop. These victims were belong to Kishtwar district and other districts of Jammu province, besides the labourers from Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, MP etc. They were carried up to Udhampur Railway Station.
Out of about 800 people of district Kishtwar struck in Srinagar and other flood affected areas, nearly 400 people crossed to this side via Sinthan road. Kishtwar police provided transport facilities at Vialoo/Kokernag for those who are not able to pay the fair. Beside this, a static camp is established at Sinthan top, who are providing refreshment, security, logistic support and other relevant information to flood affected peoples. The whole operation of the rescue and transportation of victims of flood and essential supply, was being closely supervised by SP Kishtwar, Sanjay Kotwal.
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