Uttara Kannada administration declares Medical Emergency in Bhatkal until further orders
All essential shops including medical stores to remain closed
Bhatkal: With the number of cases of Corona Virus in Bhatkal Taluk slowly climbing up, Uttara Kannada District Administration on Friday declared medical health emergency in Bhatkal Taluk. The order was issued by Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr. Harish Kumar using his special powers under section 34 of Disaster Management Act 2005.
The emergency has been declared under the limits of Bhatkal Town Municipal Council, Jali Patan Panchayath, Shirali Gram Panchayath, Heble Gram Panchayath, Mavinkurve Gram Panchayath, Mundalli Gram Panchayath, Yalvadikavoor Gram Panchayath and Mutalli Gram Panchayath with immediate effect until further orders, the official release from the office of the Deputy Commissioner stated.
The order also added that the District Disaster Management Authority was satisfied that the District was threatned by the spread of Corona virus and it was necessary to take effective measures to prevent the spread across the district and for the mitigation of the threatening disaster situation.
All the shops including the essentials like food, vegetables and medical stores have been asked to remain closed as the town witnessed a deserted look on Friday afternoon. The administration has informed that in cases of extreme emergency, the authorities will arrange the supply of medicines to the people and that they can contact the helpline number 104 for assistance.
Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner, Bharat also added that strictest action will be initiated against those who fail to follow the orders of the lockdown and section 144 along with the latest medical emergency that has been declared in the Taluk.
Earlier, reports of Police lathi charge of people on the streets were also doing rounds on local social media groups.
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Snowfall blocks two key roads providing alternative connectivity to Kashmir
Rajouri/Jammu (PTI): Traffic on the Mughal and Sinthan Top roads, which provide alternate connectivity to Kashmir, was temporarily suspended on Sunday due to light to moderate snowfall in the high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
However, traffic on the 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar national highway -- the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country -- was plying as usual despite intermittent rains that ended the over one-and-a-half months long dry spell, they said.
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The Mughal road, which connects the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir's Shopian, was closed for traffic as a precautionary measure after more than three inches of snow was recorded at Peer Ki Gali on Sunday afternoon.
A group of three tea vendors are left stranded on the road and efforts are on to evacuate them to safety, officials said.
After they were trapped in the snow, the vendors made passionate appeals through video messages urging the authorities to rescue them. The Border Roads Organisation has taken up snow clearance work and is trying to reach the stranded persons, officials said.
The Sinthan Top road, which connects Kishtwar and Doda districts in Jammu with south Kashmir's Anantnag, was also closed after moderate snowfall in the higher reaches.
Both the mountainous roads usually remain closed for several months due to heavy snowfall during winter.
