Tens of thousands of people are still stranded in Indian-administered Kashmir after the worst floods in half a century. With road and communication links cut off, the Indian military is using helicopters and boats to reach those in distress At the Jammu air base, there is a flurry of activity in the early hours of the morning.
A fleet of Russian-built Mi-17 helicopters are being loaded up with supplies.
Our aircraft is bound for Kishtwar, deep in the Kashmir Valley, which remains cut off because of the floods.
It’s carrying sacks and crates of rations – vegetables such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant among others.
“The main rescue phase is now over for the most part and our priority now is to provide relief to those in need,” says Air Commodore PE Patange, who is in charge.
Major problem
But a part of the road’s been damaged and no supplies have been reaching the markets and the communities up in the mountains.
And even in Kishtwar, there is a major problem.
With phone lines down, communicating with teams on the ground is becoming difficult except through high frequency wireless sets.
Getting through to the state capital, Srinagar, is particularly difficult.
“The last few days were very challenging,” says Air Commodore Patange.
“Entire areas were submerged and there was no place to land our helicopters. We had to drop supplies from the air and evacuate people using winches and ropes.”
It’s not raining any more and with the water receding, the relief operation has picked up.
After this will begin the reconstruction and rehabilitation process which will be infinitely more challenging.
Communication links have to be restored after which the authorities will have to start rebuilding the villages and communities which have been destroyed.
It will be a long process which could take months – maybe even years.
