Jammu-Srinagar highway restored

The major impediment to opening the NH was a massive landslide at Ramsoo near Ramban, where over 300 metres of road had been entirely washed away leaving a sheer cliff of 80 degrees slope.

The entire hillside had to be excavated afresh and the effort had to be further intensified due to a repeat landslide on 12 September.

To restore the road connectivity, five task forces of Border Roads Organisation, which include 5700 personnel, have been deployed in Srinagar, Rajouri and Akhnoor.

They have restored the road connectivity from Batote – Bijbiara, Batote – Anantnag, Batote – Kishtwar and Kishtwar – Sinthan Pass.

The connectivity from Srinagar to Sonamarg has been opened for all traffic, while, between Srinagar and Baramulla the road has been opened for light vehicles.

Jammu to Poonch road has been cleared for traffic.

As the flood water has started receding the apprehension for water-borne diseases is on the rise.

Now demand for filtered water has increased.

Twenty RO plants with a capacity to filter 4 lakhs litre per day from Hyderabad and four RO plants from Delhi with a capacity to filter 1 lakh litre per day have already been airlifted to Srinagar.

Thirteen tonnes of water purifying tablets and six water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1.2 lakh bottles per day was sent earlier to Srinagar.

More heavy duty suction pumps have also been transported from Jodhpur and Raipur to the valley.

Over 2,37,000 persons have been rescued so far by the Armed Forces and NDRF from different parts of Jammu & Kashmir in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the flood ravaged State.

Three teams of Naval Marine Commandos are actively involved in rescue operations at Watlab, Widipura & Tankpura.

33,000 blankets were airlifted to the flood-affected area, yesterday, which were donated by Ministry of Textile and Government of Jharkhand and Punjab.

Earlier 17,500 blankets and 2106 tents were provided to the flood victims.

80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services are already operating in full swing.

Four Army Field Hospitals have been established in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield where medical aid is being provided to the ailing people.

Till now they have treated around 75,254 patients.

Two additional fully equipped field hospitals with laboratory testing equipment facility have also been established in Srinagar.

One rapid action medical team from Air Force has been deployed at Avantipur and Srinagar.

This team has provided medical aid to 2,684 patients.

More relief materials including 17,200 blankets from Ranchi and Delhi, 4000 litres of water from Pathankot and 120 tonnes food from Pathankot and Delhi are being airlifted.

Sixty-four transport aircraft and helicopters of Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps are continuing their efforts in rescue and relief operations.

Army has deployed around 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations in the flood affected area.

288 Army columns are deployed overall in the state.

Over 6 lakh litres of water and over 1400 tonnes of food packets/cooked food and ration have already been distributed in the flood-affected areas.

So far 2633 sorties were undertaken by the helicopters and aircraft of Armed Forces and 3887 tonnes of relief materials have been dropped by the Indian Air Force.

A total of 224 boats of Army and 148 NDRF’s inflatable boats are actively involved in the rescue operation.

Armed Forces have also established 19 relief camps in Srinagar and Jammu region.

In Srinagar region, camps were established at BB Cantt, Avantipur, Old Airfield, Sumbal, Chattargam and Jijamata Mandir, where thousands of rescued people are being sheltered.

They are also being provided with food and other basic amenities.

Army Aviation is assisting in lifting 20 to 30 tons of loads on daily basis and 2677 seriously ill have been airlifted out of affected areas till date.

Buildup of rations, water and medical aid continues.

Two enhanced advance dressing stations are being inducted from Bhatinda to  Srinagar.