Kishtwar, June 3: Though situation was slowly returning to normal, threat of epidemic is looming large over Warwan Valley where more than seven-thousand cattle heads have perished due to the intense cold and cloudburst, over the last around one week.
 If reports reaching here have to be believed death of thousands of cattle heads have created panic among the local residents, who believe that it may lead to spread of epidemic in the area.
 The district administration is also concerned about the matter but claims to have taken adequate measures to ensure early disposal of the bodies. Officials claimed that a team of Vatenary doctors, headed by Dr Akhtar Gundna, has disposed off several hundred bodies in the last two days and the local population was also being asked to take measures at their end.
 Though Warwan Valley is covered with tall snow clad mountains on all sides, the spread of epidemic can not be ruled out in view of the prevailing circumstances, an official, preferring not to be named told Greater Kashmir.

FRESH SNOWFALL HAMPERS RELIEF OPERATION
 Meanwhile, fresh snow fall in the area has hampered the rescue operation in some of the areas. “Basmeena and Gurwas witnessed fresh snowfall on Thursday due to which a team of officials, which was conducted relief operation on foot, had to return back”, one of the official told Greater Kashmir over satellite phone from Warwan.

AIR OPERATION INTENSIFIED
 Intensifying the relief operation Indian Air Force (IAF) sent at least three choppers loaded with essential items and carrying representatives of Gujjar and Bakerwal to the affected Valley on Thursday, an official spokesman said.
 He added that the choopers dropped the relief material at Sukhnai, where the civil administration has established a makeshift camp.
 Apart from blankets, folding mattresses, milk powder, biscuits, lighters, rice bags, breads, tarpaulins, large quantity of flour was also dispatched and stored at Sukhnai with the help of representatives of Nomadic community for further distribution to the affected population, the spokesman added.
 The representatives of the community were being involved in the rescue and relief operation as they were providing helpful information to the rescue teams owing to their association with the area, he said.

PDP BLAMES GOVT
 Blaming State Government for deaths of a large numbers of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals in upper reaches of Pir Panchal, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today urged Union Government to inquiry why the rescue operation was delayed.
 In a statement issued here today senior PDP leader and MLA Darhal Choudhary Zulfikar said that more than 5000 live stocks of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals have been perished  in the due to heavy rains and snowfall in the upper reaches of Pir Panchal and more than 100 nomads have gone missing between Rajouri and Shopian.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST