SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is daily monitoring relief and rehabilitation measures at the high level review meetings was informed in today’s meeting that more than 6.50 lakh quintals of rice has been released for free distribution to people in the Valley so far. Of this, 80,000 quintals have been provided in Srinagar district as against normal requirement of 63,900 quintals.
The Chief Minister was apprised that the dispatch of fruit from Valley to the terminal markets has picked up considerably during last about ten days and more than 6,000 truckloads of fruit has already been dispatched during the current month so far which is expected to be 7,000 truckloads by the end of the month.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the dewatering operation in process in some submerged areas of Srinagar city.
It was stated that more than 200 dewatering pumps of various capacity have been put on the job and most of the areas have now dried up while the focus is on complete dewatering of some area which are still water logged.
The Chief Minister also received details of restoration of power and drinking water to the consumers particularly in the affected areas. It was informed that 80 to 85 per cent power supply has been restored so far while the supply of drinking water is going on satisfactorily. The chief Minister also received appraisal of the rehabilitation measures already started in various areas. He said that the process be further intensified.
The Chief Minister was also given details of the restoration of functioning in various hospitals in Srinagar and other parts of the valley. It was stated that OPDs in SMHS, GB Pant and LD hospitals have been resumed while Bone and Joint hospital, SKIMS and JLNMH Rainawari are functioning.
The Chief Minister directed the administration to work in a missionary zeal in this hour of crisis and render dedicated service to reach out to the flood affected people in giving them necessary succor and helping their early rehabilitation.
The meeting was informed that 79 bridges, 109 culverts and 653 km of road length damaged in the floods have been restored so for. It was also stated in the meeting that 90 percent water supply has been restored in Srinagar while as the figure in this regard for towns and villages stands at 70 percent. The total temporary restoration of PHE schemes is expected to be completed in ten days.
According to Chief Engineer Public Health Department, Kashmir Division, that almost 90 percent WSS infrastructure damaged due to flood have been restored in Srinagar City. While as WSS in towns which has also suffered major blows have also been temporarily restored.
Power Development Department has restored power supply in Budshah flats, Firdous Abad Batamaloo, M.A Road, Residency Road, Panthachowk and Batwara.
