Srinagar, Jan 29: With no new illness reported in the last five days in Badhaal—where 17 people died over the past two months due to an unexplained illness—87 families comprising 364 individuals have been relocated to Rajouri, officials said. These families are being housed at Government Nursing College, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, and GMC & AH, where they are under observation, as reported by GNS.
Additionally, 3,700 individuals remain in the village, which has been divided into 14 clusters monitored by multi-departmental teams of 182 officials.
“Showing encouraging mitigation signs, no new illness case has been reported among the residents of health crisis-hit Village Badhaal since January 24, 2025, while the District Administration Rajouri, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma, is continuing with the intensive preventive care for their well-being,” officials stated.
To prevent further casualties, the 87 relocated families are being provided with meals, water, baby food, sanitary items, medicines, clothing, and other essentials under the close supervision of doctors and district authorities.
For their accommodation, “the district administration has provided 240 beds, 490 blankets, and 303 mattresses, while keeping 176 beds, 300 blankets, and 240 mattresses in reserve,” officials said.
An on-site medical team, including three doctors and six paramedics, has been deployed 24/7, with critical care ambulances stationed at the shelter venues. “Meals are prepared in kitchens under CCTV surveillance, with food samples sent for testing at NFL Ghaziabad and Patoli Food Testing Lab, Jammu,” they added.
Authorities have also arranged temporary schooling for children and introduced skill training programs in tailoring and other trades. “Sewing machines have been supplied by the Social Welfare Department, and officials from Agriculture, Horticulture, and Labour Departments are educating families about government schemes such as PMEGP, Daksh Kissan, e-SHRAM, PMJJBY, and PMSBY,” they informed.
For those remaining in Badhaal, strict monitoring continues. “To ensure the safety of 808 households (3,700 individuals), the village has been divided into 14 clusters monitored by 182 officials. All shops and establishments have been sealed, and ration is being provided under strict supervision,” they said. “Teams are also feeding 424 domestic animals and 168 poultry birds belonging to the relocated families.”
Daily food and consumable sampling is ongoing, with 167 blood, urine, and nasal swab samples collected for testing at GMC Rajouri. A control room, supervised by the Additional District Development Commissioner, has been set up to coordinate efforts, address public concerns, and prevent panic.
“The District Administration is addressing the situation comprehensively and ensuring the well-being of all affected families,” officials concluded.
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