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2014 India–Pakistan floods

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2014 Kashmir floods
This image of the northern Indian subcontinent captured by NASA on 4 September 2014 shows that heavy clouds over Jammu and Kashmir
Date3 September 2014 - ongoing
LocationIndia
Jammu and Kashmir
Pakistan
Azad Kashmir
Gilgit-Baltistan
Punjab
Deaths150 in India and 128 in Pakistan[1][2]
Property damage2,500 villages affected [3]

In September 2014, due to torrential monsoon rains, Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir faced the worst floods in half a century. It is spread not only in Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir but also in Pakistan controlled Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab.[2] As of 7 September 2014, nearly 150 people in Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir and 128 people in Pakistan have died. According to Home Ministry of India, several thousand villages across the state have been hit and 350 villages are submerged.[1][2]

This influenced many parts of Srinagar, including the Army cantonment in Badamibagh, were inundated and vital roads submerged.[4]

Origin

From 2 September 2014, Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas received heavy rainfall, during last stage of monsoon in India. This influenced triggered flooding, landslides and house collapses in Jammu and Kashmir and it's adjoining areas in Pakistan. Jhelum River is flowing above the danger mark about 22.40 feet, 4.40 feet above danger mark in Srinagar,[4][5] which led 10 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.[5]

Also, Chenab River is flowing above the danger mark by which hundreds of villages have been badly affected in Pakistan, several marooned, and devastating torrential rains in the districts of Qadirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura of central Punjab.[6]

Floods

In September 2014, Kashmir Valley witnessed the disastrous flood across majority of its districts. The example of which was not seen before. The death toll as of September 6 has crossed 100 mark in Kashmir valley and 2600 villages were reported to be affected in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 390 village of Kashmir are completely submerged. 1225 Villages are partially affected in valley and 1000 villages are affected in Jammu Division[7][8] The cause of the flood is continuous heavy rainfall due to which local rivers broke out into the streets. The areas affected by the flood are mostly districts in south kashmir which include Anantnag, Pulwama, Baramulla, Sopore. Jhelum flows above danger mark in these areas. The discharge rate in the river was recorded as 70000 m3/s against the normal discharge of 25000 m3/s. [9] More than 175 deaths recorded.[10][11][12]

Consequences

India

The rescue and relief work till date was being carried out by local self help groups and police.[13] According to the Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the situation was unprecedented and worsening as flood waters moved rapidly through the Srinagar. He said boats had been brought from Delhi to help with evacuations, and the air force was beginning rescue operations in the city.[14]

50 bridges are being reported to have been damaged across the state. The final assessment of the damaged property can be estimated only after flood waters recede. The state government is also urging the central government for 25,000 tents and 40,000 blankets for the affected people.[7]

In the Jammu Division, landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have damaged roads, dozens of bridges, buildings and crops. Vehicular traffic has been stopped on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Katra-bound trains have been halted. Haj flights scheduled up to 12 September, have been postponed.[15] The Jammu-Pathankot national highway was opened today after the water level receded.[16] The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi called it a "national calamity".

Rescue Operations

India

The Indian Army has deployed 184 columns (75-100 personnel each) while Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 29 planes and helicopters. Over 20,000 people have been rescued from various areas by the Army and the IAF. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that it had rescued almost 4000 people. Two IL 76 and one AN 32 aircraft carried a total of 50 tonnes of supplies including food, water and medicines.[15] The aircraft operated right through the night. 150 boats were dispatched to South Kashmir for excavation of people from submerged areas.[9]

Home Ministry has been set to Srinagar to monitor rescue operations. The government has also set up a control room in Delhi and has asked people to approach it with details of their trapped families.[15]

Aftermath

The Prime Minister of India offered an assistance of ₹10 billion (US$120 million) crore to the state government, this was in addition to ₹11 billion (US$130 million) already earmarked for the disaster.[17] Terming it as a “national disaster”, Modi also took an aerial survey of the affected areas and even offered help those affected in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an assistance of ₹50 million (US$600,000) by the state and appealed to the people to come forward and help those in need.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Crisis in Jammu & Kashmir: Blackout, Floods in Srinagar, People Trapped on Terraces". NDTV. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Floods, rains claim 128 lives in Punjab, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan: NDMA". Business Recorder. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir flood tolls climbs up to 160, Rajnath Singh assures help". The Economic Times. IANS. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b "J&K Floods: Situation grim in Kashmir, Army cantonment flooded; death toll mounts to 160". Zee News. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Flood Situation Grim in Jammu and Kashmir, Army Called for Rescue Efforts". New Indian Express. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  6. ^ "High flood in River Chenab puts Qadirabad at risk". Geo News. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b Newspaper economic times official website. http://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jammu-and-kashmir-flood-toll-rises-to-120/articleshow/41853523.cms
  8. ^ News online .http://www.rediff.com › News
  9. ^ a b Greater Kashmir newspaper official website. Retrieved on 7 September 2014.http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2014/Sep/5/kashmir-floods-throw-life-out-of-gear-6.asp
  10. ^ "Death toll from floods in Indian Kashmir, Pakistan reaches 345". Sunday's Zaman.
  11. ^ "Pakistan Floods, Landslides Kill Dozens". weather.com. September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  12. ^ Saifi, Sophia; Mullen, Jethro (September 6, 2014). "Pakistani flash floods kill 110 people; dozens others die in India". cnn.com. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "Kashmir Flooded: Mirwaiz asks People To Go For Self Help". Kashmir Life. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  14. ^ "India Pakistan floods: Kashmir city of Srinagar inundated". BBC.
  15. ^ a b c "Thousands Stranded in Srinagar, 150 Dead in Worst Floods in 60 Years". NDTV. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Jammu & Kashmir floods: IAF, Army, NDRF step up rescue operations; 160 dead, thousands still stranded". Zee News. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Flood situation grim in J-K, PM offers Rs. 1,000 crore assistance". Hindustan Times. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
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