No danger of epidemic in Kedarnath valley: Minister
26 Jun 2013 11:29 PM GMT
The storm has gone, but the dust has not settled in Kedarnath valley. The local media reports are flooded with the danger of spreading epidemic diseases in Kedarnath valley and its surrounding villages. Reacting to this news, state health minister Surendra Singh Negi said: ‘I personally visited disaster-hit Kedarnath shrine and observed nearby areas. I saw bodies of buried pilgrims scattered all over the sanctum.’
He further said that probability of epidemic spreading in the nearby villages of Kedarnath valley is negligible. ‘First of all, the temperature is very low and there is least chance of decaying body. Moreover, bodies are buried nearly six to nine feet under debris and silt. As a precautionary measure, the health department has sent bleaching powder, anti-infection spray, lime and phenyl in large quantities, so that it can be sprayed into the affected areas. A team of doctors and health experts are regularly monitoring the flood-hit villages of Rudraprayag district,’ he said.
He admitted that the dirty water is flowing in holy Alaknanda and Mandakani rivers, but it happens in every monsoon season. For the past few days massscale landsliding, destruction and floods has changed the condition from worse to worst. It is not possible to clear river’s water, but as soon it stop raining, the natural water of river will emerge in scene.
The health minister said, ‘ I salute to every soldiers and officers of Army, air force and ITBP who work hard for the entire rescue.'
According to Yashwant Singh, in-charge, district information officer of Tehri Garhwal, there are six relief camps that are operating round the clock for stranded pilgrims at different points--mainly in Ghansali and Nagini. The relief camps are free of cost disbursing medicines, food and water.
The locals are also voluntarily helping the district administration in the relief camps. The district administration is leaving no stone unturned to evacuate stranded pilgrims to Rishikesh by bus without charging any transport fees. The union of private taxis operators is also extending their helping hand in this time of calamity which rocked the entire nation.
He further said that probability of epidemic spreading in the nearby villages of Kedarnath valley is negligible. ‘First of all, the temperature is very low and there is least chance of decaying body. Moreover, bodies are buried nearly six to nine feet under debris and silt. As a precautionary measure, the health department has sent bleaching powder, anti-infection spray, lime and phenyl in large quantities, so that it can be sprayed into the affected areas. A team of doctors and health experts are regularly monitoring the flood-hit villages of Rudraprayag district,’ he said.
He admitted that the dirty water is flowing in holy Alaknanda and Mandakani rivers, but it happens in every monsoon season. For the past few days massscale landsliding, destruction and floods has changed the condition from worse to worst. It is not possible to clear river’s water, but as soon it stop raining, the natural water of river will emerge in scene.
The health minister said, ‘ I salute to every soldiers and officers of Army, air force and ITBP who work hard for the entire rescue.'
According to Yashwant Singh, in-charge, district information officer of Tehri Garhwal, there are six relief camps that are operating round the clock for stranded pilgrims at different points--mainly in Ghansali and Nagini. The relief camps are free of cost disbursing medicines, food and water.
The locals are also voluntarily helping the district administration in the relief camps. The district administration is leaving no stone unturned to evacuate stranded pilgrims to Rishikesh by bus without charging any transport fees. The union of private taxis operators is also extending their helping hand in this time of calamity which rocked the entire nation.
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