Sep 12, 2010

Leh Floods – Meeting the Deluge

A massive cloud burst occurred in Leh after torrential rains lashed Leh and its surrounding areas at about 0100-0200 hrs on the intervening night of 5-6 August, 2010. This triggered flash floods in Leh Town and surrounding areas of Choglumsar, Pathar Sahib, Phyang, Hanoyogma and Nimu. Since the tragedy occurred during the night there was substantial loss of precious human lives. Damage to property and disruption of communication and services were also widely reported.  As per the Government of J&K’s latest assessment, 179 persons including 06 foreign nationals have lost their lives and approximately 400 persons have been injured and treated in various Army and other medical facilities.  There has also been extensive damage to public utilities viz BSNL exchange, civil hospital, airport, drinking water supply works, National Highways connecting Leh–Manali, Leh-Kargil and also to private properties.

 On receipt of the information of the cloud burst, Government of India immediately swung into action and responded to the requirements projected by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir for undertaking rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.    More than 6000 personnel of Army, Air Force, Border Roads Organization, NDRF and ITBP have been deployed along with rescue equipment to assist the civil administration in relief operations.  Large quantities of tents (800), blankets (6900), tarpaulins (620), mattresses (1000), food packets and bottled water have been sent.  Contributions from the charitable organizations and other sources have also been airlifted. Apart from the medical teams available with Army/CPMFs/State, etc. one medical team consisting of 08 Doctors and 04 Nurses along with 10 Qtls. of emergent surgical/medical consumables have been deployed in the affected area.    Additional medical supplies are being dispatched.  Medical equipments have been sent to the affected area.

 50 civil aircrafts were deployed between 8-8-10 to 15-8-10 and more than 7400 passengers have been evacuated from Leh to Delhi/Jammu.  These aircrafts have also carried more than 25 tonnes of relief material to Leh, free of cost since 8.8.2010.  Air Force has carried out 202 sorties and airlifted 355  tonnes of relief material and equipments and 789 passengers and 15 dead bodies. [Based on Ministry of Home Affairs and Defence Press release]. The incident severely tested the disaster management capacity of the State as well as the country with a large number of casualties including foreigners raising concerns of management of such catastrophic events.

SEP 2010