306 passengers airlifted
Jammu, (Scoop News) –JK State Government today declared the wind storm of 19th/20th March, 2012 as a natural calamity under the category of cyclone.
Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Aamir Ali in the office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said the storm had reached a maximum speed of 80 Km/Hour and had crossed the threshold of 34 knots (62 Km/Hour) which is the basic requirement for declaring wind storm as a Cyclone.
He said that an order to this effect was issued by Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Revenue Department B.A.Runyal vide Government Order No: Rev(ER) 76 of 2012 dated: 22.03.2012.
In view of the order issued by the State Government, the damaged properties affected by the wind storm will now be eligible for relief under norms.
Meanwhile 225 passengers were airlifted from Srinagar to Leh in IL-76 air force aircraft today, while 53 passengers were airlifted from Jammu to Kargil in AN-32 Kargil courier and 28 passengers from Kargil to Jammu.
On 23rd March 2012, IL-76 aircraft has been arranged from Srinagar to Leh and passengers holding tickets of Kargil courier flight No: 31 to 35 have been advised to report to Kargil House, Bemina at 6.30 AM on 23rd March.