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LATEST: JAMMU-SRINAGAR NATIONAL HIGHWAY HAS BEEN CLEARED AND TWO-WAY TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO RESUME BY 1200 HOURS TODAY.
IMD report
According to the India Meteorological Department report dated 28th February @ 1600 hrs, the western disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir is moving away northeastwards. The induced upper air cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan now lies over central Pakistan and adjoining Rajasthan Satellite imagery indicates multi-layered with moderate to weak convection over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. Under the influence of this western disturbance, moderate rain/snow is likely at a few places over Jammu & Kashmir in the next 24 hours. The outlook valid till 02nd March afternoon indicates increase in rainfall/snowfall activity over the region.
2. The Western disturbance earlier affected the northern parts of the country from 16th to 20th February, 2005 causing widespread snowfall over Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has experienced light to moderate snowfall during 24-27.2.2005 at different places. Cold and dry northwesterly/northerly winds have set in over plains of northwest and west central India resulting in cold wave conditions in these areas.
3. Due to accumulation of snow and the prevailing weather conditions, the danger of avalanches still remains.
4. Regular weather bulletins are being received from IMD and Snow Avalanches Studies Establishment, Chandigarh and disseminated among the concerned agencies.
Event:
5. As per IMD, snowfall upto 2m has occurred at many places in the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range during 16-20th February, 2005. Highest snowfall recorded in the last 30 years in J & K region has been 4.5 m in February-1996 in Banihal and 8.4 m in February-1967 in Gulmarg. However, initial reports indicate snow accumulation upto 40 ft at several places in different districts. Incidences of landslides/avalanches have been reported at several places in Anantnag, Doda, Poonch, Pulwama and Udhampur districts. The National Highway Jammu-Srinagar remained blocked for many days causing shortage of some of the essential commodities and POL products in Kashmir division.
6. As per the reports received from the State Government, primary population affected is approx 2.35 lakhs. 278 persons (including 24 security forces/GREF personnel) have lost their lives and more than 262 persons are missing due to snowfall and avalanches. 445 persons have been rescued so far including 40 foreigners. 4500 persons have been evacuated so far to safer places. 12, 000 houses (approx) have been damaged. Rabi crop and the plantations have suffered extensive damage. Anantnag, Doda, Pulwama and Poonch are among the worst affected districts.
Relief measures taken by the State Government
7. State Crisis Management Group under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary is meeting everyday to review the situation. State Government has set up round the clock State Disaster Management Control Room in Jammu and Divisional Control Room in Srinagar. Sub-divisional control rooms have also been set up at few places. State Control Room is in constant touch with Ministry of Home Affairs Control Room to exchange information on the rescue and relief operations and assistance to be mobilized. Daily situation reports are being received from the State Govt.
8. The State Government has undertaken necessary rescue and relief operations which include ex-gratia relief of Rs.50,000 to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs.25,000 to the persons severely injured and Rs.5,000 for minor injuries. Relief is also being provided at the rate of Rs.10, 000 for fully damaged houses and Rs.6, 000 for partially damaged houses.
9. Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts have been provided upto Rs.50 lakh for undertaking immediate rescue and relief operations. State Govt has placed Rs 1.00 crore with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir for relief and rescue operations. Civil administration with the assistance of armed forces, paramilitary forces and state Police is making all efforts to reach out to remote locations in different districts for search and rescue operations. Relief materials are also being airdropped in far-flung areas. Armed forces and paramilitary have also provided food packets to stranded passengers on the national highway.
10. One battalion of ITBP has been deployed in Kashmir division to assist the civil administration in search and rescue operations. ITBP have been advised to take adequate number of spades and shovels with them so that local volunteers can also be engaged in search and rescue and also road clearance operations.
Coordination:
11. MHA is coordinating rescue and relief in association with all the concerned Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and the State Government. An Inter-Ministerial Core Group under Secretary (BM) (MHA) is reviewing the situation and coordination meetings are being held twice daily.
Sector/Department-wise situation
12. (i) Power: About 385 MW power is being supplied to the Kashmir division as against normal demand of 450 MW. Transmission and distribution network in some of the affected districts are yet to be fully restored. PGCIL is assisting Power Development Department of J & K State Govt in restoration of T & D systems.
ii) Telecom: Telecom services are being gradually restored in the entire Jammu and Kashmir division. Nine exchanges, 1 in Jammu and 8 in Kashmir division are not function and these are likely to be restored soon.
iii) Civil Aviation: Scheduled civil flights ex-Srinagar and ex-Jammu are operating. Special flights are operating between Jammu and Srinagar to evacuate stranded passengers ex-Jammu and Govt of Jammu & Kashmir is meeting their entire transportation expenses. It is expected that this will be completed by 01.03.2005. Divisional Commissioner Jammu is coordinating these operations.
iv) Health: Ministry of Health is taking action to provide essential medicines required by the State Government. About 18 MT of essential drugs have already been provided to the State Govt.
v) Petroleum products: Against the daily requirement of 300 KL [K oil & Petrol], approx 100 KL only was airlifted on 28.2.2005. As the road to Srinagar will be open to traffic before 1200 hours today, it is expected that all trucks carrying POL products stranded on the National Highway for the past few days, would reach Srinagar late evening today.
vi) Clearance of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway [294 km]: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is expected to be open to two-way traffic by 1200 hours today. Road clearance work was completed late night yesterday and about 400 vehicles are expected to pass through the tunnel today towards Srinagar.
vii) Requirements of essential items: The State Government is airlifting essential commodities like milk powder, vegetables etc ex-Jammu for Srinagar.
viii) Immediate requirement of Rs. 50.00 crore: State Government has requested for release of Rs.50.00 crore for taking rescue and relief operations. It was mentioned that an amount of Rs. 42.43 crore has been allocated in the CRF for the year 2004-05 comprising of Rs. 31.82 crore as Central share and Rs. 10.61 crore as State share. Entire amount of Central share has already been released. The State Government was advised to send the details of expenditure from the CRF so that their request of Rs. 50.00 crore can be considered. Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended to the Ministry of Finance on 24.02.05 to release Rs. 50.00 crore from NCCF on ad-hoc basis. The Central Team for damage assessment led by Joint Secretary (Kashmir) MHA, has been constituted and is currently visiting the Stat.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
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NEW DELHI, FALGUNA 10, 1926/MARCH 1, 2005
OK/PM
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