Indian Armed Forces and the Jammu and Kashmir floods, 2014
In the wake of heavy monsoon rain and flash
Disaster Management in India
The organization, structure, laws, protocol, and arrangements for disaster management at the Federal and State level are outlined in a manual titled Disaster Management in India, and the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which provides for "the effective management of disasters" in India.[12][13] The Disaster Management Division (DM Division), under the Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, is responsible for " response, relief and preparedness for natural calamities". The Head of Disaster Management Division is G.V.V. Sarma, Joint Secretary. The head of Border management is Ms Sneh Lata Kumar, Secretary, Border Management.[14]
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), is responsible for the preparation of the National Disaster Management Plan for the whole country and to ensure that it is "reviewed and updated annually".[13] The Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, is an ex officio member of the NEC. NEOC is mandated to function twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The NEOC is responsible for monitoring the disaster or disaster like situation, receive updates from federal Early Warning(EW) Agencies like the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission, Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment. After processing the information NOEC submits its report and updates to affected States and concerned Central Ministries and organizations. During the monsoon period, it is required to issue daily situation reports. It is not known, whether the NEOC was functioning in Jammu and Kashmir prior to the floods, and whether it received the EW from IMD, and reported to the state government. The NEOC is also required to upload its EW reports on its website www.ndmindia.nic.in.[15]
Early warning (EW)
There was no warning of the heavy rain or the floods. The people, the state and the armed forces in the area, were caught unaware by the 2014
Command and control
Rescue Mission
The Jammu and Kashmir floods, described as a 'tragedy', by Lt Gen DS Hooda, Northern Army Commander, "became evident", on 7 September 14, the third day of incessant rains, when flood waters breached the banks of Jhelum, and submerged Srinagar, including the Badami Bagh Cantonment, disrupted " electricity, water supply and civil communications" and flooded the headquarters of XV Corps, which was responsible for "coordinating all rescue operations".[27] The flooding of headquarters XV Corps, and the Srinagar Cantonment, Hooda acknowledged, delayed the army's rescue operations in Srinagar but "only for a few hours ". The rescue operations however, did not affect rescue work in "South Kashmir", the worst affected area in the first three days, and the Jammu region.[27] In Srinagar, where the "Army does not operate" except in the "Badami Bagh Cantonment and the area of the airfield", the General said the rescue operations were mainly conducted by "Kashmiris" from Srinagar-based Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry Centre. Responding to media reports that locals were discriminated against, he said that it is hardly likely that soldier of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry would discriminate against the Kashmiris in carrying out the rescue mission.[27]
During the first few days the search and rescue operation were hindered by shortage of boats and bad weather. Boats were airlifted from all corners of India, including from far away Tamil Nadu. In the absence of civil boats the army pressed into service its BAUTS, more appropriate for assault river crossings than rescue assistance during floods. By 11 September, there were 224 army boats and 148 NDRF's inflatable boats in the affected area conducting rescue and search operations.[10] For those who were stranded on roof tops as flood water menacingly swirled around them, Air Force helicopters with IAF Garud Commandos help winch the stranded people to safety. Several hundred were rescued from rood tops. In some cases the Indian Air Force(IAF) commandos had to break through the roof to rescue the trapped people.[28][29]
The Army Commander denied media reports that it had "embedded journalists", and that army has conducted its rescue according to "a hierarchy of importance and influence", rather than "on the first-seen-first-saved basis". On the incidents of stone throwing by some people, he said, "the incidents were very few" and "blown out of proportion. Most people rescued were extremely appreciative of the Army's effort", and that the rescue mission was assisted by "local volunteers who have contributed immensely."[27]
Social media in search and rescue
The Indian Army, for first time, used social media such as
Relief assistance
From the start of Mission Sahayata till 16 September, the Armed Forces rescued 2,37,000 persons, and airlifted and distributed 2,24,000 liters of water, 31,500 food packets and ready to eat meals, 375 tonne cooked food, 2.6 tonne of biscuit, 7 tonnes baby food, water purifying tablets, 8,200 blankets, 650 tents, to the affected civilian population.[10][31]
Air transport
Because of the massive damage to surface communications, the rescue and relief effort was largely dependent on air transport. Air transport support operations were conducted from air force stations and bases in
In the first seven days (to 10 September), the army and IAF flew 1081 sorties, 100 to 120 sorties every day, moving 1411 tonnes of relief materials. Air transport operations included delivery of six large water filtration plants with a capacity to filter 1,20,000 bottles per day, engineering stores such as suction and submersible pumps, generator sets with mobile charging stations, communications equipment for the Department of Telecommunications and some of private companies such as Aircel. It airlifted the Base Transmitting Station of BSNL from Kargil to Srinagar.[10] By 18 September 2014, over 80,000 affected people were airlifted including over 28,000 from Srinagar and 52,000 from other flood affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir; by IAF-, Army- and civil aircraft.[4]
The Indian Navy Marine Commandos rescued 200 personnel at Haigaon on the Srinagar–
Medical
The armed forces have deployed 80 medical teams. In addition it has set up four field hospitals, one each in Avantipur, Pattan, Anantnag and Old Airfield. Over 20,000 patients have received treatment at these facilities.[32]
Repair and restoration of communication infrastructure
The floods and rain ravaged the roads and road communication severing road communication between Jammu and Srinagar, and Jammu and Poonch, and host of other roads. Restoration of communication was urgent priority task. Initially five task forces of Border Roads Organization (BRO), which included 5700 personnel, were mobilized. By 10 September, the Jammu–Poonch road was cleared, and road traffic between Batote and Kishtwar and Kishtwar - Sinthan Pass was restored.[10] By 16 September, the strength of Army Engineers and BRO personnel on road building and bridge construction had increased to 100,000. Heavy road construction equipment used included 400 bulldozers, excavators and JCBs, and 300 tippers and dumpers, to restore and repair roads damaged in over 1000 places.[34] After opening of the national highway between Jammu and Srinagar, the army, on 16 September, restored communication between Rajouri and Budhal by constructing a 180 feet bailey bridge over Ans river at Kot Ranka on 16 September.[34]
Relief camps
To complement the rescue work, the Army established 19 relief camps, where the rescued persons were provided food, shelter, and medical assistance. In Srinagar region, camps were at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Avantipur, Old Airfield, Sumbal, Chattargam and Jijamata Mandir.[10]
MOD seeks reimbursement for Disaster Relief
The Ministry of Defence(MOD) requested and was paid Rs 5 billion as reimbursement for "airdropping of essential supplies and rescue" during Operation Megh Rahat. The Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) paid the amount from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Criticizing the request for payment by the MOD, Junaid Azim Mattu of National Conference said, "How can they charge people for rescuing them? It is insensitive that we are still suffering from aftermath of the devastation and they are asking for money"[35]
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a force of 12
See also
- Flood
- Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill), Jammu and Kashmir
References
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- ^ "PM visits Jammu and Kashmir". Press Information Bureau Government of India. Prime Minister's Office. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ PTI (13 September 2014). "Over 1,42,000 people rescued in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir so far". The Economic Times.
- ^ a b c Press Information Bureau (18 September 2014). "Union Government provides massive relief in flood affected J&K Rescue operations regularly coordinated by NCMC". Ministry of Home Affairs. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Gowen, Annie (13 September 2014). "Anger rises in India's Kashmir Valley as people remain trapped a week after floods". Washington Post. SRINAGAR, India. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ a b c Najar, Nida; Barry, Ellen (12 September 2014). "Embrace of Social Media Aids Flood Victims in Kashmir". New York Times. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ^ Nandi, Jayashree (16 September 2014). "Kashmir floods is a man-made ecological disaster: Bombay Natural History Society". Times of India. TOI. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ ANI (6 September 2014). "J-K floods: Indian Army in aid to civil administration under 'Operation MEGH RAHAT'". Udhampur: ANI News. ANI. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ^ Dutta, Sushmita (9 September 2014). "Massive rescue operations on in flood-hit J&K; toll nears 200, lakhs stranded". Zee Media Bureau. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g Press Information Bureau (11 September 2014). "Round up at 1800 Hrs--- Over 1,10,000 People Rescued So Far by Armed Forces Another Batch of Marine Commandos Arrives in Srinagar". PIB, Government of India. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Army calls off its rescue mission in J&K, relief work to go on". Firstpost. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India. 3 May 2011. p. 233. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ a b Parliament of India (23 December 2005). "Disaster Management Act, 2005, [23rd December, 2005.] NO. 53 OF 2005" (PDF). Ministry of Home. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Anil Goswami, Home Secretary. "ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (As on 01.09.2014)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, india. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Disaster Management in India" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "J&K floods: Why Central Water Commission has no flood forecasting mechanism in place, wonders SANDRP". Counter View. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ a b Iyengar, Rishi (10 September 2014). "Hundreds Now Dead in India, Pakistan Floods as Rescue Efforts Slammed". Time. Time. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Home » Flood Forecasted Bulletins » For Level Forecasted Sites". Central Water Commission Flood Forecast. Central Water Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Flood Situation Report For September Month". Disaster Management in India, MHA. MHA, Disaster Management Division. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ a b Muzamil, Jalee (14 September 2014). "Gone Under". Indian Express. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b Disaster Management Division (2 September 2014). "SOUTHWEST MONSOON-2014: DAILY FLOOD SITUATION REPORT SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS AS ON 02.09.2014". Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management Division), Flood Situation report. Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management Division). Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ^ a b Disaster Management Division (8 September 2014). "Sitrep NO-100 /2014 1700 hours". SOUTHWEST MONSOON-2014: DAILY FLOOD SITUATION REPORT SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS AS ON 8 September 2014. Ministry of Home Affairs. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Saha takes charge of Chinar Corps". Srinagar: Swadesh News. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Lt Gen Singh assumes com mand of 16 Corps". jkunityfoundation. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Lt Gen KH Singh from Manipur takes over Command of Largest Corps of Army". Imphal: Web India 123. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Air Marshal Reddy is new Chief of Integrated Defence Staff". One India News. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d Ashraf, Ajaz (26 September 2014). "Exclusive: Lt Gen who led Kashmir rescue says, "Past cannot be swept away by floods"". firstpost.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ a b PIB (8 September 2014). "IAF Continues with Flood Relief Operations in J&K". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ^ "Indian army rescues thousands from Kashmir flood disaster – video". The Guardian. Reuters. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ^ ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY. "#ArmyRescue #KashmirFloods". Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army). ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ^ "Round up at 1300 hrs --- Number of People Rescued Crosses 2,37,000 in J&K Train Route from Srinagar to Baramulla has been Restored". PIB. 16 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ a b Purohit, Jugal R. (11 September 2014). "Jammu and Kashmir floods: Air Force deploys world's biggest helicopter for rescue operations". Mail Today. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ a b Indian navy (8 September 2014). "Jammu & Kashmir Floods : Navy extends a helping hand to State Administration in search and rescue operations". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b Press Information Bureau (17 September 2014). "Operation Megh Rahat : 17 sep 14 Restoration of connectivity". pib.nic.in. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Rashid, Toufiq (29 June 2015). "J-K outrage after report that Army was paid for flood relief". Hindustan times. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
- ^ PTI (30 August 2014). "IPS officer O P Singh appointed new Director General of NDRF". Economic Times. PTI. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ Sundaram, J Shanmugha (12 September 2014). "NDRF Team from Arakkonam in Action in J and K". Indian express. Indian express. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
External links
- Indian Army - Official website
- Indian Air Force Official website
- Indian Navy Official website