The Hindu : National : Food packets, blankets dropped for survivors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

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National

Food packets, blankets dropped for survivors

By Our Special Correspondent

QAZIGUND, FEB. 22 . The Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag Baseer Khan, who is overseeing the rescue and relief operations in the wake of the avalanches, said food packets were dropped in the area today along with blankets. The package contained shrouds to bury the dead. "It is a difficult situation and we are trying our best to help the survivors," he said.

Seventy-four persons, who were critically injured in the avalanches, had been evacuated to safety for treatment. No senior official or minister has so far visited the area. The authorities did not allow civilian movement beyond Qazigund as the road was being cleared. "You cannot go beyond this point," a police said pointing towards the Kund road. However, by evening, the administration managed to clear the road to Waltengoo from Qazigund. "We are two kilometres short of Waltengoo but that stretch is also a difficult one," said Mr. Khan.

A fleet of 15 ambulances followed the snowmobiles to the village. The Director, Health Services, Muzaffar Ahmed, told The Hindu that the ambulances carried life-saving drugs and equipment. More than 50 persons from his department had been put on the job.

Aerial survey

The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, conducted an aerial survey of the affected villages. He later presided over a high-level meeting of officials in Srinagar and asked them to tackle the emergency efficiently. Mr. Sayeed is under criticism for his Government's handling of the situation.

The Army, which is part of the rescue operations, urged people living in mountainous areas to vacate before fresh avalanches hit their houses. "People living in the higher reaches must vacate before they are overtaken by a tragedy," Maj. Gen. Raj Mehta, Officiating Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, told reporters in Srinagar. "The civil administration and we have decided to set up a number of centres in schools and government buildings to relocate people over the next 10 to 15 days."

Maj. Gen. Mehta, who supervised the airdropping of food to affected villages on Tuesday, warned that slightly warm weather could trigger more avalanches. "The hills have become loaded with snow and just walking can trigger avalanches." The Army came to know about the tragedy in South Kashmir only after a nomad informed an Army post after a 20-hour trek through the snow. "This is an unprecedented crisis. And we are making sure we rescue the survivors," Maj. Gen. Mehta said. "Our soldiers are fighting a grim battle."

Nearly 310 troops, truck drivers and two journalists had taken shelter inside the Jawahar Tunnel on the main highway after avalanches hit their barracks.

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