Doctors, medicines rushed to Srinagar

A 30-member team of doctors, including pediatricians and gynaecologists, 100 tonnes of medicines and water purifiers have been rushed to flood ravaged Srinagar, union health ministry said here Friday.

The ministry said they have set up control rooms (phones 23061469, 23063205, 23061302) and are regularly monitoring the situation arising out of the floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Around 100 tonnes of medicines have been sent so far," a official statement issued here said.

"A 10 member clinical team comprising physicians, pediatricians and gynaecologists have been positioned in Srinagar since Sep 10 to provide medical relief to the affected population."

But following a request from the state government, the union health ministry rushed another 20-member team of doctors Thursday.

"On the request of the state government, another 20 member clinical team comprising physicians, pediatricians and reproductive health specialists was deployed in Srinagar yesterday (Thursday)," the statement added.

Srinagar is battling the worst floods in 60 years. The floods have left nearly 200 people dead. While hundreds have been rendered homeless, the main city of Srinagar has been partially submerged under water.

More than 125,000 people have been rescued so far and many of them are staying in relief camps spread across the state. As hospitals are also flooded, people, mostly pregnant women and elderly, are facing acute problems.

As drinking water has also become scarce in the valley, the ministry said they are also dispatching Friday two water purification plants with a capacity of purifying around 50,000 litres per day and six small water purification units along with operators.

Also 998,500 chlorine tablets have been sent to the state so far, the statement added.

The union health ministry is also planning to deploy two psycho-social teams to assess the mental state of the traumatised people evacuated by the rescue teams. These teams are from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

To house those who have been rescued, the Indian Red Cross Society has supplied 1,082 tents (each to house eight people), it said.

"In addition, they have sent 750 tarpaulins, 1,000 kitchen sets and 2,500 blankets. The Indian Red Cross Society is also ready to supply additional 700 tents (each to house eight people) from Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu) store through Air Force today (Friday). Air Force has been requested to airlift the tents from Arakkonam," the statement added.

The ministry has also rushed its senior health officers, including special Director General of Health Services, to oversee the arrangements.

"Two public health teams have been stationed, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, since Sep 8 for rapid health assessment and to prevent and control public health exigencies," it said.