J&K floods: State gears up for lurking health emergency, 2 lakh people rescued
Srinagar: With the threat of disease outbreak lurking in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, efforts have been initiated to provide medical staff and medicines even as rescue operations were slightly hampered on Sunday due to return of rains in the Valley.
Armed forces and National Disaster Relief Force have rescued over two lakh trapped people as the operations entered the 13th day today. Over one lakh people are still stranded after the worst floods in the state in a century claimed at least 250 lives.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan took a detailed review of the health-related relief measures at a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and senior officials and said all assistance will be provided to the state authorities to tackle any possible epidemic.
Although the flood waters have receded, filth has accumulated across the state, including carcasses of animals posing as a threat to health and hygiene. Lack of clean drinking water is only an added trouble.
Health authorities have issued advisories as an immediate measure. Doctors, paramedics and medicines too have been rushed for mass immunisation against measles.
Mild rainfall in the Valley stalled air operation for a few hours on Sunday morning.
The IAF helicopters also faced stone-pelting from the stranded people due to the slow and delayed rescue operations.
One helicopter was hit by a stone, prompting the force to change its strategy, after which choppers maintained a safe distance from the ground.
"We understand that people are angry. Even in a family, sometimes children get angry. But we are there to help out," Air Vice Marshal Upkarjit Singh said.
Two battalions of Armed Police have also been airlifted from Jammu to Kashmir Valley for maintaining law and order.
Police department has restored its communication system in flood affected areas of Srinagar city.
The Chief Minister said that 60 per cent power supply in Kashmir division, 85 per cent in Jammu region has been restored. He also directed concerned departments to double the ration supply to the Valley.
Private telecom operator Aircel, which has 2.1 million customers in Jammu and Kashmir region, said it has restored its 2G services in most part of the Valley.
Aircel's 2G services are operating in Anantnag, Shopian, Bandipora, Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam, Bonigam and Ganderbal. Aircel 3G services are also up and running, it said in a statement.
