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

    Manmohan Singh moves to 3, Motilal Nehru Marg

    Manmohan Singh moves to 3, Motilal Nehru Marg
    Former prime minister Manmohan Singh shifted to his new residence - 3 Motilal Nehru Marg - after attending the oath taking ceremony of his successor Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan Monday evening.

    Manmohan Singh moves to 3, Motilal Nehru Marg

    AAP congratulates Modi

    AAP congratulates Modi
    The Aam Aadmi Party Monday congratulated Narendra Modi on becoming India's 14th prime minister and asked him to live up to people's expectations.

    AAP congratulates Modi

    Narendra Modi sworn in as 15th Prime Minister, promises 'strong and inclusive India'

    Narendra Modi sworn in as 15th Prime Minister, promises 'strong and inclusive India'
    With the setting sun forming a magnificent backdrop, India got a new prime minister Monday as Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi, 63, took oath Monday in a 90-minute, open-air, business-like ceremony in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, attended by leaders of eight neighbouring countries.

    Narendra Modi sworn in as 15th Prime Minister, promises 'strong and inclusive India'

    Nawaz Sharif's India visit: Sand artist creates image on peace

    Nawaz Sharif's India visit: Sand artist creates image on peace
    Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Sunday created a sand sculpture on peace in Odisha ahead of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to India.

    Nawaz Sharif's India visit: Sand artist creates image on peace

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up
    A small and compact cabinet under Narendra Modi appeared to be taking final shape Sunday, with BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, and Sushma Swaraj likely to get the top posts, according to party sources.

    It's official: Modi to merge ministries, Small, compact Cabinet shaping up

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana
    Stung by its rout in the general election, where it won only four out of 440 Lok Sabha seats it contested, all of them from Punjab, the AAP is now back to thinking small and may not contest assembly elections in Haryana scheduled for this October.

    AAP to think small again: Focus on Delhi, may not contest Haryana