India-Pakistan flood disaster prompts frantic rescue bid

SRINAGAR, India – Authorities in India and Pakistan made frantic efforts Monday, September 8, to pluck tens of thousands of people to safety from floods which have killed at least 350 as desperate residents huddled on rooftops.

With phone lines down and roads cut off, the full scale of the disaster in the cross-border Kashmir region and in Pakistan’s Punjab province was still to emerge but video footage shot from army helicopters showed entire villages under water, with only tin roofs visible.

As Pakistan’s premier toured some of the worst-hit areas, India deployed naval commandos as part of a massive relief effort.

Some of the famous shikara wooden boats, which ferry tourists across the Dal Lake in Indian Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar, were pressed into service to reach isolated homes.

Divers toiled to help bring people to safety while residents on both sides could be seen waving from rooftops as vehicles and livestock were washed away by surging waters below them.

Disaster officials say at least 350 villages have been submerged on the Indian side of the de facto border in Kashmir by monsoon rains, making it the deadliest flooding there in over half a century.

Thousands of troops, police and other emergency personnel, backed by helicopters and boats, fanned out across the state to deliver relief supplies, including protein biscuits and bottles of drinking water.

Others were being fed in mass volunteer-run kitchens set up by mosques.

The home ministry said around 20,000 people had been rescued so far but the head of the army’s northern command said many more remained marooned.

“For the next 48 hours, our focus remains on Srinagar and South Kashmir because there are still large numbers of people who are stranded and who are without any food and water,” General D.S. Hooda told reporters. (READ: Residents huddle on rooftops in Kashmir flood disaster)

“It’s our idea to get them out as soon as possible. We will continue … until everyone is pulled out of this situation.”

An Indian Navy spokesman said teams of divers were working “day and night” to rescue survivors.

Airport cut off

Srinagar airport was cut off from the city by heavy flooding just 700 yards outside the terminal, according to an AFP correspondent.

Delhi resident R. S. Gandhi was stuck at the airport after flying up from the capital to rescue his in-laws.

“The last time I was able to speak to them was yesterday and they had already moved up to the second floor of their building. Twelve feet of water had come into their building in just three hours,” he told AFP.

“Now that I am here I don’t know what to do next, how I can help or get them back to Delhi.”

Communications were lost Sunday when the rain-swollen Jhelum river flooded large parts of Srinagar.

Vinod Vishen described on Facebook how he had moved his entire family to the top of their home in the Karan Nagar neighbourhood.

“Water rising relentlessly,” Vishen wrote, expressing fears that houses in the area could collapse. “Very very grim situation.”

Srinagar’s main hospital and army barracks were among the buildings badly hit.

There was no fresh rainfall Monday and forecasters said only light drizzle was likely in the next few days. But Indian officials warned the death toll of 150 was bound to rise.

Refuge on roofs

In Pakistan officials said the number of dead on their side now stood at 205, with most killed in Punjab province. (READ: 

Helicopters, troops and other emergency personnel have been deployed, according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif handed out compensation cheques to flood victims at Rawalakot in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“There is no compensation for life, but government will help the affected brothers and sisters to rebuild their homes,” he said.

Relief officials say more than 27,000 people have been affected in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Around the town of Jalalpur Bhattian, northwest of Lahore, some 200 villages were inundated as the Chenab river burst its banks.

Kausar Bibi, 35, said she had been living in a tent with her family since the waters came on Saturday.

“Many of our family members have taken refuge on rooftops in Jalalpur Bhattian because they did not want to leave their animals behind,” she told the Agence France-Presse by phone.

Army boats and helicopters were taking part in the rescue effort in the area, while the Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) organisation — seen as a front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba militant outfit — was also helping out.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured his country’s sector of Kashmir Sunday, describing the situation as “a national-level disaster” and also offering relief assistance to Sharif. – Rappler.com