Floods and landslides, more than 300 victims in India and Pakistan
Srinagar (AsiaNews / Agencies) - More than 300 people have died in India and Pakistan in mudslides and landslides caused by floods in recent days. The most affected areas are the valley of Kashmir in India and the eastern province of Punjab in Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister,Narendra Modi, has termed it a "national disaster", promising aid from the federal government.
So far the death toll for India is 175 dead, with houses, military bases and hospitals in Srinagar - the capital of Jammu and Kashmir - completely flooded after the Jhelum River burst its banks. The waterway is one of the five rivers of the Punjab region, which touches India too. In neighboring Pakistan, more than 160 people have lost their lives: according to the Disaster Management Authority, the victims may have reached 181. Even the authorities in Islamabad speak of a "national emergency".
Rescuers in both countries are using helicopters and boats to rescue tens of thousands of people stranded in their homes, because of the waters that flooded many villages. "We could not get out - says a survivor - the water was flowing too fast". The torrential rains that have been pounding the region stopped yesterday, but the Jhelum has not yet receded.
In many areas of Srinagar
the water has reached four meters, submerging entire houses. According to the people of Kashmir this
is the worst flood to hit the valley over the last 60 years.
In Indian-administered Kashmir at least 450 villages have been submerged and 2 thousand others affected by the
floods. Schools, colleges and
offices were closed; electricity
and drinking water are being rationed.
In Pakistan, 103 people
were killed in the eastern province of Punjab in the collapse of houses, that were destroyed or swept away by the water. Since 4 September, when
the rains started, more than 5 thousand people have been brought to safety. Three soldiers have lost their lives in rescue operations.
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