Srinagar: The life in flood-hit Kashmir region is limping back to normal as vehicular traffic to the Valley has been restored through three national highways facilitating the resumption of supplies at a massive scale. The national highways—Mughal Road, Srinagar-Jammu and Kishtwar-Sinthan have been thrown open for traffic, a spokesman said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed on providing ration, safe drinking water, blankets, tents, medicine etc to the flood-hit people, besides intensifying the dewatering and sanitation process in the inundated areas, especially in Srinagar city, he said.
The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation and holding daily review meeting with senior officials. At a meeting today, Omar was told that the flood water in the many waterlogged areas of the city is being drained into natural channels through high volume suction pumps and cuts, which is followed by massive cleaning up drive.
“Scores of animal carcasses have also been disposed and the drive is going on war footing,” the spokesman said. The Chief Minister was told that water supply schemes including 30 million gallons per day (MGD) at Rangil, 19 MGD at Nishat and 6 MGD at Alastang are functioning normally and supplying potable water to the people.
“Efforts are on to restore the Mehjoor Nagar and Padhshahi Bag water supply schemes. Despite having suffered damages, 19 MGD Doodganga and 4 MGD Pokhribal schems are also being made operational shortly,” the spokesman added.
Water supply has been fully restored in South Kashmir towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam while as it has been partially restored in Pampore.
Tankers have been pressed into service in Kupwara and Sopore areas in North Kashmir where PHE schemes have been badly hit, the Chief Minister was told.
It was told in the meeting that 99 truckloads of relief material have been dispatched from Srinagar Airport yesterday besides 50 truck ration has been pushed into Srinagar by CAPD department and 70 truck loads are expected to be sent today. Similarly 69 trucks of ration has been sent to Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama districts yesterday.
The Chief Minister directed the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to utilise Rs 200 crore each released to them for carrying out immediate temporary restoration work and meeting other relief needs.
On power supply, the Chief Minister was told that 70 per cent power supply has been restored in the Srinagar city and in other areas the supply will be restored as soon as water recedes from these areas.
The Chief Minister was told that 12 lakh vials of anti-measles vaccine and 3,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccine are expected to reach Srinagar shortly. Other cleaning and disinfecting agents like phenyl and fumigation sprays are also on way to Srinagar.
