The road approaches to Leh from Srinagar through Zozilla and from Rohtang Pass have been cut-off due to washing away of bridges by mudslides. 25 Army Jawans are reported missing. The Defence Institute of High Altitude Research of DRDO has also been damaged.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed Ministry of Defence to provide all-out rescue and relief assistance to cloudburst victims in Leh. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, who is personally monitoring the operation, took a series of meetings of senior officials of MoD, the Services and DRDO this morning. The Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar is in close touch with the State Administration of Jammu & Kashmir to ensure coordinated effort for the relief operations.
22 Columns of Army personnel under the leadership of 14 Corps are busy in relief and rescue operations. Nearly 400 critically injured people have already been evacuated by the makeshift hospitals by the Army. All the civilian doctors in the Leh District Hospital have been operating from Army Hospital, Leh as the Civil Hospital has been filled with mud. The Tri-Service Disaster Management Committee of the Ministry of Defence met in New Delhi, this afternoon to take stock of the situation. Adequate number of aircraft and helicopters are available at Kargil, Chandigarh and Udhampur to move to Leh. ATC and airport at Leh is expected to be operational by late evening, today. There are enough foodgrain stocks available at Leh. If necessary, essential commodities will be airlifted to Leh. DRDO is also providing medicines and relief materials. Indian Air Force has been directed to airlift civilians, if needed. A medical team along with essential medical supplies has been kept on standby for flying them to Leh after the runway is operationalized.
No comments:
Post a Comment