Rainy weather adds to the miseries of students under quarantine
Srinagar: As the temperature witnessed a downslide in Kashmir valley owing to the incessant rains during the past two days, those who have been put under quarantine at various places across Kashmir complained of experiencing chilly conditions in their rooms.
For Qurat (name changed) an MBBS student who arrived from Bangladesh last week and is currently lodged at a quarantine center in Bemina Srinagar, the weather has brought miseries to her.
“I came from a place where the temperature was so humid but here it is so cold. I am wearing cotton clothes and we do not have any heating arrangement available here. We have not been provided any such equipment to keep ourselves warm. Even we do not have the warm clothes as well,” she says.
Another student Mohammad Samaan currently under quarantine at Pahalgam tourist resort says that he came from Chennai where the temperature always remain pretty hot but here it is so chilly.
“Without warm clothes or heating arrangement we may fall sick. This way we may get fever, cough and other ailments. Government should bring blankets, heating system and warm clothes for all the people inside quarantine centers,” he said.
Many students lamented that since they had just reached Srinagar airport they were taken to multiple quarantine centers “where the facilities are poor”.
“The facilities here are no better. Two people here share the room with four others. Beds were laid out next to each other. Five people used one toilet. The dustbin in the room was overflowing with garbage,” said a PhD student wishing anonymity.
He also urges government to arrange for heating facility in the quarantine center and improve its condition.
The condition of quarantine centers as per the students is poor. Videos surfacing on social media showing broken beds, stained toilet seats and wash basins filled with betel juice and waterless taps, mostly in remote areas of Kashmir.
People complained that no tests were conducted and no masks, sanitisers or soaps were given out to people waiting at quarantine centres for as long as 10 hours, in some cases. Now the wet weather is also causing huge conveniences to the students.
Notably, on March 23rd District administration, Anantnag, had put 50 students in quarantine—who have arrived from Bangladesh.
The quarantine facility was set up at a picturesque spot at Pahalgam.
As per authorities, the students were taken inside quarantine centers after proper screening and have been put under medical surveillance as a precautionary measure. The administration has claimed the facilities available to students are fine but students grieved that no heating arrangement have been made.
Interestingly, the world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg on Friday received fresh and light snowfall while as rain lashed the plains of Kashmir valley, bringing the temperature further down.
On the other hand, officials from Meteorological department Kashmir have stated that the weather is likely to improve from Saturday afternoon.
As per reports, weather in Kashmir valley is likely to improve from Saturday afternoon. Dry weather is expected to continue till March 31.
Pertinently, the authorities have imposed strict restrictions in Kashmir in the wake of coronavirus spread.
So far 21 persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease in Kashmir with one death also reported in the region. (KNT)
KV News
