New Delhi, September 16, 2014: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, NH-1A has been opened for traffic today, by the sustained efforts of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army Engineers. 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. Undeterred, the engineers worked night and day to make a new passage through the mountain slope. This led to the crossing over of more than 150 stranded vehicles which moved from Banihal to Jammu.
Five task forces of BRO, which include 5700 personnel, have been deployed in Srinagar, Rajouri and Akhnoor to restore the road connectivity in the State. 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. The traffic along Srinagar – Gulmarg – Gumri has been restored. Srinagar to Baramulla train route has also been cleared.
Meanwhile, 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 also involved in rescue operations at Watlab, Widipura & Tankpura.
As the flood water has started receding the apprehension for water-borne diseases is rising. 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.
More than 1 lakh blankets were airlifted to the flood-affected area, which were donated by different organisations. 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 in the valley. 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.
Forty-five 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.
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.
The situation is being continuously monitored and progress of the events are updated in the office of the HQ IDS in New Delhi.
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