Floods take toll on telecom network in Kashmir

Jammu: Heavy floods have snapped Kashmir Valley's telecommunication links with the rest of the country with state-run BSNL along with Army and IAF launching an operation on a war footing to restore mobile services.

The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is rushing experts on satellite-based services from Hyderabad and Bangalore to immediately restore mobile services.

"Kashmir Valley is cut off from the rest of the country. Mobile link and other services have been affected due to floods which have badly hit BSNL and others telecom infrastructure", Chief General Manager Telecom (CGMT), J&K Circle, RN Sudhakar told PTI.

Sudhakhar, who is leading the operation to restore the service as soon as possible, said Poonch district of Jammu region is also cut off.

"With the help of satellites, we are trying to restore the service. We are trying to do whatever we can", he said.

Mobile, landline and Internet services in Kashmir Valley were snapped last night due to huge damage caused to telecommunication infrastructure of BSNL and private operators.

"We are trying to restore Digital Satellite Phone Terminal Services to activate mobile services on the pattern of the one we used during Amarnath yatra", the CGMT said.

"We had deployed satellites to give mobile services and connectivity (to pilgrims). We are now working towards that only," he said.

"We are flying experts working on satellite-based service from Hyderabad and Bangalore to immediately restore the service as soon as possible," he said, adding, "We are trying to restore service as soon as possible. But it take some time".

"Our entire team is in engaged in restoring services in entire J&K circle, particularly Kashmir. With the help of Army, IAF and private operators we are trying to finish the task", he said.

"Our battery plant has also been flooded, resulting in grounding of the set-up," he said, adding that, "we are trying to revive that".

Floods in Kashmir have left 150 dead and caused huge damage to infrastructure.