Published on Jan 15, 2016
देखिए क़लम के कारीगर को, जिनके पास हुनर तो है पर किसी काम का नहीं.
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Published on Jan 15, 2016
The Record Man
With the passage of time, records have become extinct and it’s difficult to find them. It is a treasure trove for all the vintage music lovers. Harish Kumar is one among many music lovers who want their food for the soul on record.
© Vijdan Saleem
Rescue and relief amid flood fury in Kashmir
Sidra Kabir, a resident of Wazir Bagh in Srinagar who was rescued by local volunteers,recalls the night before the water inundated her house. “Initially, we did not take the warningcalls seriously. We were naïve to think that our house won’t be affected. The key hole of thedoor was looking like a water tap. I tried to stop water by blocking the holes with pillowsand whatever I could, but water levels started rising too quickly. Gushing water changed itsdirection and two floors of our house got submerged.”
A woman catches a bottle of water thrown by a member of voluntary organisation, as she sits on the roof of her flooded house in Srinagar on Monday. — Reuters
Wazir Bagh is one of the badly affected areas along with Jawaharnagar and Rajbagh.Although many people were rescued on the first day, Sidra and her family had to wait forthree long days to be rescued. “My phone stopped working around 5pm that day, I calledpeople for help before that. But nobody could help us.”
Continue reading “Rescue and relief amid flood fury in Kashmir”
A date with the Valley
COVERAGE
Migratory birds flock to Kashmir despite the damage caused to wetlands by flood
Thursday 15 January 2015
The unprecedented flood in Jammu and Kashmir in September last year left a trail of destruction. While the state is still dealing with its aftermath, wildlife authorities have something to cheer about: winged vistors kept their date with the Valley despite the damage caused to the wetlands by the flood.
Wetlands in the state have been rapidly shrinking over the years due to urban encroachment. The flood only worsened their condition. The water brought with it mud, piles of rubble, dirt, rocks, debris from damaged houses and highways, septic waste from houses and sewage. These blocked the inflow and outflow channels of the wetlands. Oil from petrol pumps drifted along with the floodwater and accumulated in the Hokersar wetland, 14 km north of Srinagar. The water contamination, ecologists feared, would take a toll on the number of migratory birds this season. But they were pleasantly surprised as birds flocked to their winter homes, including Hokersar wetland, at the usual time.
No stopping the winged visitors
Migratory birds translocate to Kashmir every year to avert the extreme winter in Russia and Central Asia. Birds also come from the Philippines, Turkey and China.
“The number of migratory birds is slowly going up, which is the usual trend. It increased from 0.3 million in November 2014 to 0.6 million in December. With more birds flocking, the number is expected to go up further. This is satisfactory considering the damage caused by the flood,” says Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, Wildlife Warden (Wetlands), Srinagar. Comparative studies indicate an upward trend in the number of migratory birds in the state in recent years. Last year, 1.2 million birds were recorded.
The wildlife authorities claim that they took prompt action to ensure that the natural habitat of the birds was not disturbed. Although they did not have a mechanism in place to take out the oil, they worked overtime to clean the waters. “We cleared the inflow and outflow channels, which were blocked by solid waste and silt. Once these channels were free, the oil slick was drained and fresh water could easily come in,” Lone adds. Continue reading “A date with the Valley”
Kashmir flood: Met dept predicts more rainfall, Centre grants Rs 200 crore for relief
Police helpline number receives more than 30,000 calls and almost 9,500 WhatsApp messages
.jpg "A Kashmiri girl crosses a flooded area with essential supplies on a boat (Photo: Syed Shahriyar)")
Reports of fresh rainfall in western Jammu and Kashmir have given rise to panic among Kashmiris. People are already reeling under crisis after flood water inundated homes in several parts of the state following Sunday’s incessant rains.
Meteorological department director Sonam Lotus told Down To Earth that the state would receive moderate to heavy showers from Wednesday to Friday. Despite heavy rainfall, the water level of Jhelum continued to fall since Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, in a bid to assist the people, the police department has set up a 24-hour helpline which has received more than 30,000 calls after it was started on Sunday.
“Our helpline has also received 9,454 WhatsApp messages, including pictures,” a police spokesperson said. “It is a way (setting up the helpline) to stay connected with the people and be aware of the ground situation.”
Flood-affected people are calling up on the number to enquire about the situation. “I called up the police helpline number to ask about updates. We fear that flood water might inundate our houses again, as there is a fresh forecast of rainfall,” Aijaz Rasool, a resident of Bemina, Srinagar, said.
Government issues warning, exams postponed
Following the forecast, the government has issued a warning, urging people to take precautionary measures. “Incessant rains and melting of snow coupled with the rise in temperature have increased chances of landslides and erosion in all areas which are steep and hilly,” an official handout read.
“The weather outlook from April 1 to April 3, 2015 may further aggravate the situation,” the handout said. People living in the upper reaches of Shopian in southern Kashmir have been asked to take precautionary measures to avoid mishaps and loss of life.
All schools and colleges remained closed on Wednesday.
The Jammu and Kashmir state board has postponed all examinations scheduled till April 4 in the Kashmir Valley and the winter zones of Jammu division.
Continue reading “Kashmir flood: Met dept predicts more rainfall, Centre grants Rs 200 crore for relief”
Jammu and Kashmir High Court orders removal of Russian poplar trees
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has recently issued another order asking for removal ofRussian poplars across the Kashmir valley. Responding to the order, the state government, on June 7, said that “the order will take time to be implemented”.The pollen seeds of these trees are said to cause respiratory problems.
Underscoring their potential threat to human health, the Jammu and Kashmir high court had, on May 5, said that tehsildars would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the orders passed by deputy commissionersfor felling of the trees. In April,the court had issued another order that was not implemented, following which the court directed the government to implement the order at the earliest possible and wherever necessary.
Continue reading “Jammu and Kashmir High Court orders removal of Russian poplar trees”
J&K police rescue 130 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Manali-Leh road
The J-K Police on Tuesday evening have rescued 130 tourists who were stranded due to landslides on the Manali –Leh road. Those among rescued include some foreign nationals.
“We had rescued all the tourists last night and they have been taken to safer places,” said Deputy Commissioner Leh, Saugat Biswas. Officials said that the district administration had send four buses to the rescue tourists.
“There were landslides on Rumtse and Meru spots on the Leh – Manali road due to heavy that blocked the way for tourists coming from Manali,” said a senior police officer involved in the rescue operation. “The tourists were rescued by bringing them on foot for 15 km to the bus point. Buses were provided by district administration and were escorted by police.”
Continue reading “J&K police rescue 130 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Manali-Leh road”
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