This post is especially for those from J&K who are away from home and worried about their families. Let me begin by saying that the situation is tough but rescue operations are on and we hope we will see an improvement over the coming days. I flew to Delhi today to create more awareness of what is going on. Let me tell you what I saw. First, yesterday, I stayed put at home (Humhama Heights, just by the airport near Friends Colony). Our area was relatively unaffected. Going out was dangerous yesterday. Today, I ventured out to take a look. The Airport Road was flooded. So, drove through Gogo towards Rawalpora and Sanatnagar. Went to Hyderpora flyover and saw that water had reached close to the flyover. Hundreds of people were out by the flyover. Rescue teams were in place. Many were evacuees from Bemina Bye Pass area. Some were just spectators. Then I tried to go to Lal Chowk but could only go up to Bone and Joint Hospital. There were chaotic scenes there but rescue efforts were on and teams of the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) were evacuating people from the Ram Bagh/Mehjoor Nagar vicinity. We also told them about Natipora where the situation was bad. The DIG of NDRF (man in-charge) told me that Raj Bagh/Kursoo, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh, Shiv Pora, Indira Nagar and some others were on their priority list because of major flooding there. I think there is limited coordination between various agencies working there. That is a problem due to lack of communication (networks are down). But, they were working hard. The army and air force are operating a lot of rescue missions. The armys main camp in Badami Bagh is inundated but I understand from a former General who is in touch with Army officers that Shiv Pora is being evacuated and many people are in the Army Hospital in Badami Bagh. The Jhelum river breached its embankments at various places included near the old Grindlays Bank by Polo View. This flooded MA Road and Residency Road and water crept up to Lal Chowk. I dont know the situation in Abi Guzar and Sheikh Bagh (where a close family friend is stuck with his aged parents). Some parts of South Kashmir are cut off and little information is emerging. But, I heard from a minister that trucks were able to go from Banihal to Khanabal. I understand that Anantnag and Pampore and some other towns also were inundated but not sure how high the water is. But, the Army/Air Force are working in the area. I visited Baramulla 2 days back. It was largely fine. But, I heard today that some areas in Sopore were flooded although unconfirmed. When I couldnt go beyond Bone and Joint Hospital, I turned back and got on to a friends tipper (truck) and we took the Airport Road to Humhama. It was a scary ride but we made it. Dont recommend it right now. Since communication remains a problem, I decided to fly to Delhi to create awareness. On a couple of TV channels I talked about the need for greater coordination and immediate setting up of a common communication centre for all first responders. I will be meeting officials in Delhi tomorrow morning to try and push through this idea because it is important. Also, we are now entering a stage where we need to find shelter for those being rescued. We need water and food rations for them. I am sure the government is trying to do that but I think it is really tough for many many families right now. I have linked up with some people in Delhi and I understand medical and other relief supplies are being organised by civil society groups. I am trying to ensure that all this is sent (and received) in a coordinated way. These are difficult times and coordination is extremely important. There are many people helping right now and trying to do their best to deal with this calamity. To the extent you want to send information about your families, please reply here and I will try to pass on the information to rescue teams. I will visit the Control Room of the Home Ministry in Delhi tomorrow morning and do all I can to help. Please stay positive. I am hopeful we will come out of this difficult time. This link has numbers of the control room in Delhi. ndtv/article/india/jammu-and-kashmir-floods-home-ministry-control-room-helpline-588316
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:31:23 +0000
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