Panic grips Zanskar students after breach

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 7

The news about the bursting of the artificial lake on the Phutkal created panic among students of the area, who are pursuing their education in the winter capital, as they made frantic calls to know about the well-being of their near and dear ones.

The students said they were able to contact their relatives, but they were worried about their safety.

“It is disheartening to know about the immediate bursting of the blocked river. It has not only caused panic among the people living in the Zanskar region, but it is also a matter of worry for the student community from the area studying here,” said Tundup Wangyal, president, All Zanskar Student Association.

“All the students are worried about their parents, relatives. The flood has caused huge damage in Zanskar washing away bridges, delinking people from other areas. We are disappointed with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the state government and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, for their negligence and inaction despite our repeated requests and protest,” said Wangyal.

Stanzin Thosam said: “I came to know that the road to my village has been washed away. Though I have talked to my family, I am still very much concerned about their wellbeing and well-being of many other families who are facing tremendous hardships due to this tragic incident.”

“Many bridges and roads have been destroyed. Zanskar has almost been taken 10 years back,” said Thosam.

“Students from the area who have left home to study are worried and are trying to maintain contact with their families,” said Chosphel Rigtol, a resident of Surlay Youlgo Lungna in Zanskar.

“The NDMA fooled the innocent people of Zanskar by claiming that they had dug a channel through which the water would flow in a controlled manner. Iit has now left the poor people on the mercy of God,” he said.

Hamle Toshi, another student from the area who is studying in Jammu, said: “We are worried a lot about the well-being of our family members. All the students are busy making calls to their near and dear ones ever since they learned about the breach in the Phuktal.”

“Before I could contact my family, I got a call from my parents in the morning. It really was a huge sigh of relief,” said Toshi.

“Now that the tragedy has struck, we hope the state government with the help of the Centre will do whatever is possible to save the precious lives which are in immediate danger. Though we have talked to our family members, the network problem persists,” said Dorjay.