Post-traumatic stress disorder affecting women in Leh

http://in.news.yahoo.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-affecting-women-leh-095252437.html

Leh (Ladakh), June 26 (ANI): Even after almost a year, women in Leh district feel haunted by memories of the cloudburst and are struggling to move on in life while depending on medicines provided at occasional health camps.

Overwhelming stories of endurance are emerging out of Leh as they approach the same date in coming weeks, reminding them of a disaster that claimed lives of more than 190 persons and rendered thousands homeless.

Psychological trauma of struggling to save life and homes have taken a toll on the peaceful population in Leh as they recount the horror faced on the intervening night of 5-6 August 2010.

Dichen Palmo's two-year-old son Tenzing Gafir went missing during the flash floods and was rescued by her, engulfed in mud.

She says her family's life is slowly returning to normal and now has put all her efforts into building a better life for her 'miracle baby'.

"He was washed away with me in the floods. I stopped near some debris that had collected in another village and I saw him crying near by, almost drowning in the mud. I took him out. I still cannot forget what happened that day but yes slowly we are able to move on. I thank God for saving my child," said a teary eyed Dichen Palmo.

Unlike Palmo, some women were not so lucky. Konchok Dolma works as a tailor and does odd jobs at a beauty parlour near her village. She has stopped visiting the old shop because it reminds her of a life that she feels holds no meaning after the disaster.

Dolma's 17-year-old daughter was washed away in floods in front of her eyes and now she struggles to cope up with sleepless nights.

"I woke my children up from sleep when the downpour began. That is all I remember. Within minutes, the area was filled with water. The younger child was saved but the older one got washed away with floodwater. Both my daughters were students in Chandigarh. I do not trust life anymore. I rarely sleep at night and stay up till late 3 a.m. or 4 a..m."

The aftermath has brought medical complications like depression, body pain and insomnia affecting especially women and children.

Indo Tibetan Police Force (ITBP) organised a medical camp recently at a shelter home and interacted with many victims who needed desperate medical attention especially for psychological trauma.

"People are still in depression due to that cloudburst. Many people lost their close ones and they are not out of that trauma till now. We help them little bit through medication but mainly behavioural therapy is what we use for their treatment," said Dr Vijay Pal, Assistant Commandant, medical officer, 24 Battalion, ITBP.

The August 6 flash floods triggered by a cloudburst devastated large parts of Ladakh claimed lives of hundreds including 35 army men, 18 Nepalese and Tibetan workers, three French, one Spanish and one Italian tourists.

Five villages, Saboo, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglamsar and Shapoo were the worst hit. Old Leh city was also among the worst affected. (ANI)

Almost a year after cloudburst, funds yet to reach many Leh residents

http://onespot.wsj.com/india-news/2011/06/25/c7a20/almost-a-year-after-cloudburst-funds-yet

Leh, June 25(ANI): Almost a year after cloudburst hit Jammu and Kashmir's Leh district killing over 190 persons, funds are yet to reach many victims while residents are struggling to rehabilitate their homes and lives.

Hundreds went missing and several thousands were rendered homeless on the intervening night of August 5-6, after the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst flattened their homes.

According to official records, 158 families have been rehabilitated with a new house and basic amenities to begin life anew.

Nevertheless, funds have still not found their way into homes of many victims though the District Commissioner assures 'technical hassles' would soon be solved.

"At present, 783 families have received the first installment of 1,00,000 rupees and the reason that some have not received the compensation is because names of many local residents were misspelt on the relief case list.

Each victim was asked to open a bank account and the money would directly go into the payee account," said T. Angchok, District Commisioner, Ladakh.

"The names on the bank list did not match to that mentioned on relief list. For example, Tsering was written as Chhering on some lists. As a result, the poor beneficiary fails to match his name and does not get the amount. This is being rectified, corrected and now victims will soon avail the amount," he addedbout 665 houses were completely destroyed and victims were promised two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, while one lakh rupees was promised to the ones, who suffered partial destruction of their houses.

Leh Hill Council has already sent a project proposal of 133 crore rupees to the Central Government for permanent restoration of the region but the funds are yet to be released.

These funds were to be used for road infrastructure and electricity that suffered heavy damage.

Flashfloods and mudslides swept the road links and bridges in the area. The deluge damaged hospitals, schools, government buildings, bus terminals, radio station transmitter, telephone exchange and mobile-phone towers.

Meanwhile, families living in Saboo village, the epicenter of flash floods, feel grateful that at least their homes received enough support to build new homes within a year, but added that the government could do much more to help rebuild lives.

"In August, we thought it was impossible to stay in the village after the floods and it would take decades to rebuild the village again. We had begun to feel hopeless, but the government came to our rescue. The civilians put up a brave front in the aftermath and within the next few days of the disaster, some roads were cleared, temporary bridges were built," said Tsering Uru, head, Saboo Village.

"At least we got an option to travel from one village to another for sometime. But I hope this support continues because still a lot of construction work needs to be completed around here," he added.

Five villages, Saboo, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglamsar and Shapoo were the worst hit. Old Leh city was also among the worst affected.

The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army was at the forefront of rescue attempts after floods and continues to help rehabilitate residents with government support in areas devastated by the natural disaster. By Pooja Shali (ANI)