J&K govt launches relief operation in quake-hit areas

Jammu: With a series of quakes in Bhaderwah and adjoining areas triggering panic among locals, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched relief and rescue operations in the affected areas even as tremors jolted the valley for the third day today.

"The rescue and relief operation was launched by the district and divisional level authorities in the earthquake hit areas of Jammu region, particularly Bhaderwah valley", an official spokesman said today.

Chief Secretary Mohd Iqbal Khanday has directed Jammu's Divisional Commissioner to monitor the operations.

Bhaderwah Valley has witnessed 15 tremors in the past three days with maximum 11 yesterday. While one tremor struck Bhadwerwah on April 31, 11 were felt yesterday and three today. Two persons were killed and 69 others injured after yesterday's repeated tremors.

The most recent tremor was felt this morning at 6.04 AM, followed by two aftershocks of lesser intensity. The first quake measured 4.2 on the Richter Scale.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta who is supervising the relief and rescue operation, has dispatched twenty tents and 100 blankets to be provided to the people rendered homeless in the affected areas.

All District Development Commissioners (DDC)s have been directed to constitute Tehsil Level Officers teams to conduct detailed assessment of human loss and property, if any.

The district administrations have also been asked to activate Civil Defence Organisation and Red Cross Volunteers to lend hand in relief and rescue operations.

J&K Home Minister Sajjad Kitchloo, Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Gupta and IGP Jammu Zone Rajesh Kumar visited the most affected areas of Bhaderwah belt and supervised the relief operation today.