Quake Situation in Indian-administered Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, the first tremor was felt at around 09:20 IST, while the second was reported 15 minutes later. The first tremors sent panic stricken people running from their homes. Following the strong aftershocks, people were too frightened to remain indoors and spent the night in the open air in deplorable conditions surrounded by death and destruction. Heavy rains and the cold are adding to the suffering.

The official death toll has reached 800 but a government official reported that the toll is expected to rise as there is still no news from four villages in the Teetwal area and 3,000 houses had been razed in Tangdhar alone. Efforts are being made to open up the arterial routes leading to the villages which have been cut off from the rest of the state due to landslides. 325 deaths have been recorded in Baramulla district with most of them in Uri sector while six deaths were reported in Srinagar district. Eighteen deaths were recorded in Poonch and other areas of Jammu region along the Line of Control.

Electric supplies and telephone lines were also affected. The earthquake triggered landslides that blocked the Srinagar-Muzafarabad highway; the dam at Uri had cracked and TV towers at the Suleiman complex and roads in Srinagar were damaged. While heavy vehicles are still stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, traffic authorities are letting light vehicles pass.

The army has launched relief and rescue operations in Uri sector where massive destruction is reported (70% of houses have been severely damaged) and many casualties are feared. The army has also set up makeshift hospitals and army helicopters are undertaking numerous sorties ferrying medicines and relief materials to remote areas and airlifting injured people to the base hospital. Using spades and bare hands, thousands of security personnel have been looking for survivors.

ACT member Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) is planning to undertake initial relief operations to assist 10,000 earthquake affected families through 4 Project Partners in Jammu and Kashmir. These partners are Al-Bashir, CNI Hospital/church, Hindustani Covenant Church (HCC) and a network called COVA. Priority will be given to the most vulnerable sections among those affected such as women and children.

The proposed budget details are given below.

BUDGET

Rate of Exchange 1 US $ = Rs 43/-

The plan of action and budget for mid-term rehabilitation activities will soon follow. The emphasis here will be winter clothing and securing temporary shelters probably constructed with galvanised iron tin sheets and timber. These are important for the survival of the homeless since these areas are mostly above the snow line and people will have to spend the next 8-12 months in these before permanent shelter can be ready.

The ACT CASA response will be included in the South Asia Emergency Relief to Earthquake Affected Appeal ASSA 51.