By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Leh: Heavy rains have brought Leh the most devastating flood in more than half a century. Even though it has been two weeks since the heavy rains, things are yet to come to normal with the loss of life and property added to the uncertainty of those missing. Roads and bridges were destroyed. Even concrete buildings including those of the government were washed off by the heavy flood.
“People are homeless. Things are getting worse now. We are running short of drinking water and construction equipments, materials etc,” Ghulam Mustafa, president of the youth wing of the Anjuman Moin-ul Islam, told TCN from a relief site in Leh. The AMI is an NGO based in Leh active in relief work in the flood-hit areas. The worries are more as there is a need to construct shelters before the onset of winter in November. The AMI is planning to complete construction works by October 15 but the shortage of construction materials and equipments is creating hurdles. “We have to construct shelters within two months and that is our top priority now”, said Mr Mustafa.
[Photo by sgforums.com]
The problems are intensified by the lack of electricity and communication facilities like landline phone and internet. Mobile phones are the only means of communication now. The destruction of roads and bridges make it all the more difficult to reach different parts heavily affected. The rain has stopped but it has already made a lot of destruction. The flash floods have affected some parts of Kargil district also where seven people were killed and destruction worth around Rs 72 crore has been made. Schools, mosques etc along with agricultural lands were destroyed.
The number of casualty in the deadly calamity is yet to be confirmed. Many people are yet to be found. The official death toll is around 175, which includes 13 army personnel. M Din Khan, coordinator of the AMI, told TCN that there were fears that the death toll may still rise. “The total number of labourers who had come from Bihar, Orissa and Rajasthan is not known to anybody and many of them are missing. The number of people living in certain colonies is also not known. However, the administration is trying to find the missing people. Efforts are also on to restore the land phone connection.”
Both the government and non-governmental organizations are active in relief activities. The government has reportedly set up four rehabilitation camps where nearly 2000 people are being taken care of. The army also is active in rescue and relief operations. The AMI initiated the relief activities with the participation of the local people. The activities are carried out by dividing the areas among volunteers. The AMI has also set up a blog providing information and details of the relief activities. The blog provides details of the contributions received and the expenditure of the organization. NGOs collect funds for their relief activities by the contributions of local people in public places and religious institutions like masjids, Budhist temples also.
[Photo :AMI]
When asked how people could help the relief activities, the AMI authorities said they needed monetary help. “If you send clothes and other items, it will take time to reach here. But if you send money, we can buy all things according to need from here only.” Money can be transferred to the bank account of the AMI which is provided in the blog – http://amileh.blogspot.com.
Leh was subjected to the worst calamity in decades on August 6 by the devastating cloudburst. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the affected areas on August 17 and announced a Rs 125 crore relief package. He also reassured that funds would be made available or the rehabilitation of the affected people before winter.
CONTACTS
1. Mr. M. Din Khan, Coordiantor 9906830891
2. Mr. Ghulam Mustafa, President, Youth Wing, AMI, Leh
9906983108
3. Mr. M. Iqbal Bijal 9419178403
4. Mr. Nissar Ahmad 9419178714
Email:- [email protected]
FOR DONATIONS
Flood Relief Fund, AMI, Leh
A/C No. 0069040100027906
Swift code : JAKAINBBSRI
Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Leh-Ladakh
India