Saturday, December 20, 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

    Team Modi takes charge, promises clean, effective governance

    Team Modi takes charge, promises clean, effective governance
    A new Indian government took charge Tuesday with most ministers visiting the offices of their allotted portfolios, some even to two-three offices, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who began with an early meeting at his South Block office.

    Team Modi takes charge, promises clean, effective governance

    Kejriwal released from custody on furnishing personal bond

    Kejriwal released from custody on furnishing personal bond
    Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was Tuesday released from Tihar jail here after a court ordered his release from judicial custody in a defamation case.

    Kejriwal released from custody on furnishing personal bond

    Modi's Day One: Talks terror, promises to bring back black money

    Modi's Day One: Talks terror, promises to bring back black money
    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader took charge as India's prime minister at South Block office at 8 a.m. and soon proceeded to the stately Hyderabad House to meet Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

    Modi's Day One: Talks terror, promises to bring back black money

    Punjab pays record Rs.15,473 crore to farmers for wheat

    Punjab pays record Rs.15,473 crore to farmers for wheat
    With a bumper wheat crop in the state this year, the Punjab government has made a payment of Rs.15,473.15 crore to farmers for wheat procured by government agencies, an official said Tuesday.

    Punjab pays record Rs.15,473 crore to farmers for wheat

    Modi faces sea of expectations from diaspora, India-watchers

    Modi faces sea of expectations from diaspora, India-watchers
    With Narendra Modi taking over as prime minister, a host of expectations, recommendations and advice is pouring in for the BJP leader from overseas Indians.

    Modi faces sea of expectations from diaspora, India-watchers

    Narendra Modi meets SAARC leaders

    Narendra Modi meets SAARC leaders
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday met Presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of the Maldives and Mahinda Rajapakse of Sri Lanka here Tuesday.

    Narendra Modi meets SAARC leaders