Jammu and Kashmir floods: Communication networks take big hit

It was perhaps for the first time that Jammu and Kashmir had become incommunicado during a natural calamity. On Sept 7, communication systems failed on a massive scale. Most of the mobile towers were under water for 4-5 days. Of the nearly 12,306 base trans receivers and networks, 1,681 submerged. However, service provider Aircel seems to have been an exception in providing people help.

Dna spoke to people in Jammu and Kashmir who are still stuck there. Software professional Ishfaq Sheikh (35) said: "Network is a big problem here. I use BSNL, but it was not working, so I moved from Nawa Kadar area to Hazrat Bagh, almost 10km away. Only then did I get connection."

A few days ago dna had reported about a Borivli family which returned from Srinagar. Purshottam Agrawal one of the members had said: "We had taken two aircel and 2 MTNT sim cards. In the Valley only Aircel was of help. We could contact our children in Mumbai."

Sameer Dave, chief technology officer, Aircel said: "Our connectivity is based on a redundant link design due to which it was not disrupted despite optical fibre being washed away. We have 2G and 3G networks, and as both are not co-located in Jammu and Kashmir, they supplemented our network.

"Also, our towers are located on high ground to prevent problems like water seepage. And most importantly, we have a highly motivated network team which helped people in the Valley to continue to use our 3G network during the difficult period," he said.

All networks in the Valley have been providing people additional talk time. But Aircel has services like 'Aircel Locate', which helps locate people without charge.

On being asked about why some networks were not functioning, Vodafone's official spokesperson said: "The information shared with you is untrue. We have been regularly sharing updates since Tuesday (Sept 9) on the status of our networks, which has also been widely reported.

"With the cooperation of various govt authorities, we have successfully restored network connectivity in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in key towns of Srinagar, Anantnag, Qazigund, Mattan, Sasmandamjan, Lower Munda, Ashajipora, Colony and 18 other parts of the state. All our customers are also being given additional talk-time credit to ensure that low balance doesn't prevent them from getting connected with their near and dear ones."