KASHMIR FLOODS 2014

In September 2014, the Kashmir region was hit by heavy floods from torrential monsoon rains. The regions of Jammu and Kashmir in India, as well as of September  13 th2014, nearly 200 people in India and 205  have died due to the floods. According to theHome Ministry of India, several thousand villages across the state have been hit and 350 villages have been submerged. So far 1,60,000 people have been rescued, including 87,000 from Srinagar city.

Many parts of Srinagar, including the B.S.F H.Q in santnagar & Army cantonment in Badamibagh, were inundated, and vital roads were submerged, by the floods.

The Jammu and Kashmir state and adjoining areas received heavy rainfall from 2 September 2014 onwards, during last stage of monsoon in India. This has triggered flooding and landslides in India and the adjoining areas . On 5 September, the Jhelum River in Srinagarwas reported to flow at 22.40 feet (6.83 m) which is 4.40 feet (1.34 m) above the danger mark and at 33 feet (10 m) at Sangam in Anantnag district which is 12 feet (3.7 m) above the danger mark.

The Chenab River was also reported to flow above the danger mark by which hundreds of villages were affected

In September 2014, Kashmir Valley witnessed disastrous floods across majority of its districts. The death toll as of September 10 has crossed 190 in Kashmir valley and 2600 villages were reported to be affected in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 390 villages in Kashmir are completely submerged. 1225 villages are partially affected and 1000 villages are affected in Jammu Division The cause of the flood is continuous heavy rainfall due to which local rivers broke out into the streets. The areas affected by the flood are mostly districts in south kashmir which include Anantnag, Awantipora and Pulwama.River Jhelum, flows above danger mark in these areas. The discharge rate in the river was recorded as 70000 m³/s against the normal discharge of 25000 m³/s. At least 200 deaths recorded.

As of September 13, in many parts of Srinagar's neighbourhood, the water was about 12 feet (3.7 m) deep, submerging entire houses. Stranded residents left their homes to move in with friends or relatives in safer areas.

In Srinagar, most of the city areas are submerged under water. The river Jhelum spilled over submerging Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh and Wazir Bagh neighbourhoods of city. The first story of the houses and hotels in Rajbagh that are packed with tourists are submerged. According to the Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, boats had been brought from Delhi to help with evacuations, and the air force has begun rescue operations in the city.^[

50 bridges are being reported to have been damaged across the state. The final assessment of the damaged property can be estimated only after the flood waters recede. The state government is also urging the central government for 25,000 tents and 40,000 blankets for the affected people.^[10]

In the Jammu Division, landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have damaged roads, dozens of bridges, buildings and crops. Vehicular traffic has been stopped on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Katra-bound trains have been halted. Haj flights scheduled up to 12 September, have been postponed.^[19] The Jammu-Pathankot national highway was opened on September 8, after the water level receded.Srinagar-Leh Highway reopened for traffic on 9 September.^[21] The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi called it a "national calamity"

Home Secretary of India Anil Goswami said 82 aircraft and helicopters, 10 battalions ofBorder Security Force 329 columns of Indian Army and 300 boats were in the rescue operations. According to home secretary, 10 VSAT systems are being air lifted to restore critical telecom towers and a satellite link from Bardula has been provided for crucial communication.Two IL 76,One CJ 130 and one AN 44 aircraft carried a total of 2000 tonnes of supplies including food, water and medicines. 500 boats were dispatched to South Kashmir for excavation of people from submerged areas.^[12] Armed Forces including Border Security Force (B.S.F) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) so far rescued 1,60,000 persons in different regions of Jammu and Kashmir.The Indian Armed Forces have done a tremendous job in relief and rescue operations. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) has launched an operation on a war-footing with Indian Army and Indian Air Force(IAF) to restore mobile services through satellite network and the telecom network.

Home Ministry has been set to Srinagar to monitor rescue operations. The government has also set up a control room in Delhi and has asked people to approach it with details of their trapped families.

source:: wikipedia