While the state government is trying to fight the threat of epidemic in the floodhit Valley, a military dairy farm in Bemina in the heart of Srinagar can turn into an epicentre of diseases, with carcasses of over 300 cows and buffaloes lying unattended for the past eight days after the flood hit the city.
Carcasses of cows surface at the military dairy farm in Srinagar after flood waters receded on Tuesday.
The farm opposite an army’s cantonment, Toto Ground, is spread over hundreds of kanals in the middle of the residential area of Chatabal, Bemina and Qamarwari.
The dairy farm, according to locals, had around 370 cows. Some of the dead animals have been washed away, some are lying on the road while others have gone into the compound of Bemina wollen mills,'' said Rouf Khan, a resident of the area who had gone to take stock of his abandoned house.
Health experts say the situation is alarming as the bodies need immediate burial or cremation.
Locals say the cows were killed as the gates of the farm were closed and the caretakers ran away without letting the animals loose. The residents say seven animals could be saved during the devastating floods. “Some people said that two boys went into the farm to save the cows and are missing since. There is no way of confirming this news though,” Khan added.
With water level receding and sun shining bright, hundreds of dogs and vultures are preying on these carcasses. The whole area stinks and people moving on the road on foot or in vehicles cover their mouths to avoid the stink. This is threatening the well-being of thousands of people in the area,'' said another resident from Bemina, Mir Ishtiyaq. Neither the army nor the local administration could be contacted for comments.
{{/usCountry}}With water level receding and sun shining bright, hundreds of dogs and vultures are preying on these carcasses. The whole area stinks and people moving on the road on foot or in vehicles cover their mouths to avoid the stink. This is threatening the well-being of thousands of people in the area,'' said another resident from Bemina, Mir Ishtiyaq. Neither the army nor the local administration could be contacted for comments.
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