Friday, December 19, 2025
ADVT 
India

Srinagar flooded, internet connectivity snaps

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Sep, 2014 08:46 AM
    Flood waters Monday inundated most of Srinagar's residential and commercial areas as people scrambled to save whatever they could from the muddy, swirling waters.
     
    Mobile coverage was patchy across the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir while there was no internet connectivity.
     
    An estimated 70 percent of Srinagar was inundated for a second day Monday.
     
    Water entered shops in the main business hub of Lal Chowk and Residency. Desperate shopkeepers tried to retrieve their goods from the flooded shops.
     
    The death toll in the worst floods in Jammu and Kashmir in over 50 years is said to have crossed 150. However, information is patchy from remote areas now made inaccessible by the flood waters.
     
    The radio and television stations were shut Sunday after flood waters entered the installations.
     
    The authorities appeared ill equipped to battle the terrible calamity but did all they could in the circumstances.
     
    Mobiles went on the blink as private telecom service providers said their towers were badly damaged.
     
    Waters entered the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) headquarters on Maulana Azad Road, forcing its closure.
     
    There was no internet connectivity in the Kashmir Valley.
     
    The only communication tool still up and running is the police wireless system.
     
    Except for inter-district connectivity between Srinagar and north Kashmir's Ganderbal district, all other districts of the valley including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Badgam, Baramulla and Bandipora were cut off.
     
    The air force Monday airlifted 70 boats as seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force struggled to save the flood victims. 
     
    Soldiers did a herculean task, rescuing the marooned. The navy deployed marine commandos.
     
    The Srinagar-Jammu highway as well as the Srinagar-Leh highway remained closed for the fourth day Monday.
     
    The floods have hit petrol availability in Srinagar. All petrol pumps were practically running dry, prompting pump operators to ration the fuel to just one litre for each vehicle.
     
    All educational institutes have been shut. All Haj flights to Saudi Arabia have been cancelled till Sep 12.
     
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reviewed the flood situation Sunday, has called it a national disaster.
     
    The silver lining is that there was sunshine in both the valley and Jammu region, with the weather office saying there would be fair weather for the next four days.
     
    The water level in all mountain streams and seasonal drains has gone down.
    But the Jhelum river, which caused maximum devastation, is still flowing above the danger mark.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC
    Amid stiff opposition from the opposition benches, a bill for creating a separate body for managing Sikh gurdwaras in Haryana was passed by the state assembly Friday.

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans
    A group of South Asian Organizations says it's deeply troubled by reports that US government agencies have engaged in surveillance of Muslim American civic and civil rights leaders, including Indian and Pakistani Americans.

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions
    A new smartphone app being tested at St Louis Children's Hospital in the US is turning out to be a life-saving experience for children with heart conditions.

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions

    Amit Shah as BJP chief: Modi sidestepping RSS?

    Amit Shah as BJP chief: Modi sidestepping RSS?
    When L.K. Advani was dragged kicking and screaming from the post of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president in 2005 under orders from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a diplomatic cable from the US embassy in Delhi to Washington stated that the event "demonstrated the power of the RSS ... and will likely increase the party's (the BJP's) political decline".

    Amit Shah as BJP chief: Modi sidestepping RSS?

    After Mahabharat and Panipat, it's now HSGPC vs SGPC

    After Mahabharat and Panipat, it's now HSGPC vs SGPC
    The land that is now called Haryana has been famous for epic battles like the Mahabharat and the three historic battles of Panipat. Now a leading Sikh body is fighting a politico-religious battle in the state to retain control over its gurdwaras.

    After Mahabharat and Panipat, it's now HSGPC vs SGPC

    Block rail, roads - go to jail in Punjab

    Block rail, roads - go to jail in Punjab
    Putting people to inconvenience and even causing suffering by blocking rail tracks and roads in Punjab could now have a legal complication for protesters. The state government has approved a bill under which blockade of rail and road traffic would attract punishment of up to one year in jail and even a penalty of Rs.100,000.

    Block rail, roads - go to jail in Punjab