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ARMY IN FORE FRONT : RAIN HAVOC AND FLOOD SCARE OF MARCH 2015
Kashmir suffered devastating floods in September 2014 with in which Srinagar town,
majority of areas of South and Central Kashmir and Large portions of North Kashmir remained
marooned for days.
Army, one of the most organised efficient rescue and relief operations
saving over 61000 people from different parts of Kashmir and distributing thousands of tons of
relief material. In this noble cause, Army composite Rescue Operation Group created was
joined by youth and civil organisations, resulting into minimisation of losses to lives. People
were yet to recover from the loss to property, household, social infrastructure, education and
institutions when a repeat of September floods seemed looming on the horizons. Rain God was
kind this time, yet the flashes of flooding, water logging, landslides, damage to roads and
bridges were prominently faced at large number of place.
Non-stop rains over three days from 29 to 31 March followed by a warning of another bout of
rains from 01 to 04 April created a panic situation in the valley. The Army, civil administration
and the JK Police worked hand in hand, quickly synergising all the resources and got ready for
an efficient disaster management.
Preparations to Manage the Disaster
Joint Control Rooms Established. As soon as the water levels entered the orange
levels of warning, the Joint Control Rooms (JCRs) sprang up.
While Army established one at BB Cantt, civil administration established there of them at
Anantanag, Srinagar and Baramulla. JCRs of civil administration were manned by Army officer
each on 24x7 basis.
Learning from the lessons of September 2014, Army established Composite Rescue
Operation Groups. At Srinagar itself, three such groups were established and located at BB
Cantt, Old Air Field and Zainakot so that the operations could be launched from three directions.
Each of them comprised infantry, engineers, equipment repair, signal and medical teams with
suitable equipment in adequate quantity. Personnel with different capabilities and roles were
integrated into one cohesive group.
Keeping a watch on Jhelum. Monitoring of flood waters and keeping surveillance over
the river bunds was critical to timely response.
Soldiers were tasked to patrol the critical
stretches of Jhelum River and keep a close watch on the water levels at Sangam, Ram Munshi
Bagh and Asham Sumbal.
In the course of monitoring, the information on the weak spots
observed on or along the bunds was quickly relayed to the task forces equipped with JCB,
tippers, sand bags and human resources. These task forces got employed and strengthened
these week spots and measures taken.
Confidence Building Patrols. In an era of information and social media, the overdose of
information, mixed with old photos downloaded from internet was causing panic among the
Awaam. To prevent this and to infuse confidence, among people large number of confidence
building patrols were launched. These patrols covered the entire spectrum of vulnerabilities
informed the people about the actual ground position and preparedness.
CONFIDENCE BUILDING ON 01 APR 15- ANANTANAG
For confidence building for the Awaam, was conducted from 1130h onwards
Balsoo, Yaripura, Tangiyan, Mishipura, Hawara, Wampura, Hassanpur Bagh, Arwani,
Khanabal, batingo, Wuranhal, Pazalpura. Composite Task Force of 1 Rashtriya
RiflesBattalion including Sh Mumtaz Ahmad, SSP Kulgam, Sh Pankaj Kumar, Comdt 18
Bn CRPF, Prisal COB Cdr, Buchru COB Cdr of Rashtriya Rifles, Sh Nawaz, DSP
Khudwani, AC Krishan Kumar Nagarwal ex Yaripura COB Cdr, Khanabal COB Cdr,
Bijbehara COB Cdr and NDRF team under Asst Comdt Mussafir Ram participated.
CONFIDENCE BUILDING PATROL ON 01 APR 15 - PAMPORE
Confidence building measure was org by the RR bn from 1330 hrs. Composite Task
force of Rashtriya Rifles, Engr Regt and Civil adm participated in the same. The team
interacted with the villagers of Letapore, Galandhar, Sambur, Kakapore, Lilahar and
Bandarpur & assured them of all help in case of contingency and displayed resources
available for rescue and relief operations.
Evacuation coordination an efficient evacuation plan within the Army establishment was put into
place so that Army personnel and assets do not get caught in the deluge. An efficient plan for
evacuation from areas within Cantonment Board
was put into place to deal with the eventualities. A
team of officers, doctors and nurses from Army
visited GB Pant Hospital on 01 Apr to coordinate
the evacuation plan of paediatric patients to 92
Base Hospital, in case an eventuality arose.
.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Despite pro-active measures adopted by Army and civil administration, the nature could
still force its way in terms of landslides, flash floods, water logging and damage to roads and
bridges. The action taken by the Army in synchronisation with civil administration to provide
rescue, relief and succour to the affected populace touched the hearts of the people. The
action taken by the Army in sync with civil administration to provide rescue, relief and
succour to the affected populace is as follows (details with photos as under): Rescue at Ledan
On 30 Mar at approx 0345 am, three houses caved in at Ledan, (1Km South West of
Hampur Lullipur) due to land slide in which 16 civs got buried under the debris.
Despite incessant rain and difficulty in reaching the location. 53 RR Bn responded
quickly along with a search and rescue dog which enabled in recovery of a number of
bodies. Employment of a local JCB by 53 RR Bn hastened the rescue process. A skid
steer loader was also mobilised to the location from Badgam on war footing. A
massive strength of troops from the RR Bn under supervision of senior officers
ensured smooth conduct of the operation. The operation lasted for over 48 hrs in
which 15 bodies were recovered.
 Rescue of Civilians at Larikpora
De-Watering and Repair of Breaches
Post September 2014 floods, the drainage system had got clogged and the earth itself
was saturated with water. This resulted into caution pools of water at large number of places.
DE WATERING ACTIVITY BEEN CARRIED OUT AT
BATPURA BY PRISAL COB EX 1 RR
DE WATERING AT SHAMSHIPURA & BATINGO 31 MAR 15
On 31 Mar 15 water logging for approx 2 feet at Shamshipura &
Batingo was reported by locals. On request from HQ 15 Corps to Victor
Force, at 1515 hr, two colns ex Khananbal COB were launched. The fire
bridgade veh was moved from Arwani to shamshipura for immediate
dewatering. With help of the fire brigade veh the de- watering of the area
was carried out from 1600hr to 2100 hr.
DE WATERING AT BATPURA ON 31 MAR 15
Water logging for approx 1 ½ feet at Batpura was reported by
locals. On request from DC Kulgam at 0615 hrs on 31 mar 15, two columns
ex Prisal COB was launched. The fire bridgade veh was moved to the
location and de watering of the area was executed from 312000 to 312200
and from 010700 hr to 011000 hr.
REPAIR OF BANDH BREACHED AT DOGOM
On 01 apr 15 villagers of Dogom apch coy cdr of Kakapore coy and
apprised him regarding displacement of earth along the embankment. Str
01-00-22 ex Kakapore COB carried out repairing wk of breach of Bandh at
Dogom. In addn to assistance, 600 sand bags were provided.
REPAIR OF WEAK PATCHES ON NH FROM SEMPURA TO PANTHA
CHOWK
Str of 01-00-22 ex Khunmoh COB carried out maint of weak patches on
NH at Sempura – Pantha Chowk. Sand bags were used to strengthen the
weak bundh.