SRINAGAR: The death toll from serious flooding in Indian-administered Kashmir climbed to 175 on Sunday, with homes, military bases and hospitals inundated in the region's main city Srinagar as the Jhelum river overflowed its banks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew over the Kashmir valley, a mainly Muslim region with a history of separatist violence. The worst flooding there in 60 years has submerged villages and ruined crops.
"This is a national level disaster," Modi said. He announced $180 million in disaster relief payments, as well as compensation to victims and their relatives.
“India is ready to provide assistance to Pakistan to deal with the flood-ravaged areas of Azad Kashmir,” Modi added according to NDTV.
“I visited some of the areas affected by unprecedented rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir today. The devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented. There have been many deaths and heavy damage to property and infrastructure,” reads a letter sent by Modi to his Pakistani counter-part Nawaz Sharif.
“I visited some of the areas affected by unprecedented rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir today. The devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented. There have been many deaths and heavy damage to property and infrastructure,” reads a letter sent by the Modi to his Pakistani counter-part Nawaz Sharif.
Expressing his grief over the loss of life and property on the Pakistani side of Line of Control, Modi offered assistance in relief work to Pakistan, “In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the Government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them.”
On the other hand, Pakistan also expressed deepest condolences over the loss of lives in Indian caused by torrential rains and flash floods and offered assistance to the Indian government in relief efforts.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “We also feel the pain of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and are ready to help in whatever way possible to mitigate the suffering of the people affected by the floods.”
Modi's visit comes in the build up to state elections in the affected state of Jammu and Kashmir by the end of the year.
His nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking to expand support beyond the mainly-Hindu lowlands of Jammu and oust regional leader Omar Abdullah, who was allied to India's last government defeated by Modi in May.
Although heavy rains abated on Saturday afternoon, flood waters rose sharply overnight in Srinagar, a city of 900,000, catching many people living in low-lying areas unawares.
"I could not save anything as the government did not issue any flood warning," said Abdul Aziz of Jawahar Nagar in Srinagar, who drove his family to safety when water entered their home at around 4 o'clock in the morning.
"The majority of my neighbours who were sleeping are still trapped in their homes," he said. Modi met state chief minister Abdullah and other officials in Jammu, the other main city in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also announced that 100,000 blankets, 5,000 tents and 50 tonnes of milk powder would be distributed to those forced from their homes.
Some 2,500 villages have been partially or completely submerged across the area, while thousands of people are stranded on rooftops waiting to be rescued.
Major roads - including the one to Srinagar airport - were under water, hampering relief efforts.
"The water level is decreasing in Jammu ... while the situation in Kashmir has worsened. In many areas, the ground floors are inundated with flood waters," Abdullah told reporters.
About 22 air force helicopters and four aircraft were deployed to evacuate stranded people and to deliver relief.
About 120 army units and eight teams of police reservists, equipped with boats and life jackets, were in action.
"We have relocated 13,000 people from flood hit areas. We had a shortage of boats and 100 were airlifted today," said Rohit Kansal, the divisional commissioner for Kashmir.
COMMENTS (55)
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Indian PM gave 2100 crore INR or 3500 Crore PKR to Kashmir, Lets kashmiris watch how much Pakistani PM gives to their side of LOC.
pakistan is bangladesh trying to be USA. please wake up, come to reality...whats your fascination with the Kashmir. Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain in India. India doesnt occupy your place. Stop worrying for others, worry for yourself first. !!
@Maverick: We are outsourcing our toilet cleaning contracts . are you interested ? in any case you will make more money cleaning our toilets than a lot of Paki job will pay !
Modi using the words 'Azad Kashmir' proves that Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. We Indians are culturally are radically differerent and it is time we give Kashmir to Pakistan.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri - Our PM (Mr Modi) offered your PM to help you Pakistan Occupied Kashmiris. But as the politics of the region goes, Pakistani army would rather let you guys die than taking help from India. And throw tantrums as much as you want, Kashmir will remain with India till eternity. Its not the world who will decide, it will be the 1.3 billion Indians who will decide it.
Comments here by Indians show the hatred against Kashmiri people. Indian government refuses to help Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir, although it is their duty to do so as per the UN charter concerning territories by an invading army.
Indians, regardless of what you want or not, not one Kashmiri will leave his ancestral land. Why should we reward killers, rapists, and murderers for their theft and looting of Kashmir. Kashmiris will be free of Indian yolk soon. The disaster hypocrisy will galvanize Kashmiris against India more than any meeting of Pakistan with Kashmiri leaders.
This is a big calamity nature is giving warning to human race about the global warming, but humans are not heeding to the nature's warning, we are playing pity politics even in this situation. India Pakistan and rest of the work has to forget the enmity between them, work together and save the world. After all when everyone dies its not going to be Hindu Muslim or Christian it is humans who are going to extinct from planet earth. Our Indian Prime Minister wanted to extend hands of friendship but instead of accepting or rejecting the offer, Pakistan tries to play politics from it.
Anyhow soon we are going to realize man made national borders are worthless in front of nature.
@peace lover: What do you mean ? you want help for Pak occupied Punjab also? This is not fair...................
People strongly think that flood is due to opening dam. Then why there is flood in Indian side of LOC. You people always live under umbrella of conspiracy theory. Even for natural calamity you blame India ! While India's so called Hindu nationalist leader is offering help.
@Aschraful Makhlooq China is not part of South Asia, its an ASEAN country. And in saarc and South Asia, india is dominating power china only has observer status. So you can accept or reject reality doesn't matter. If you look into Americas and major world powers statement they always tell india to use regional power status to do this and that. In fact now it's telling india to rise up as global power and take initiative in world issues along with japan and Australia. India is worlds third biggest economy by PPP and economy worth trillions. We are already spending money on poor, so don't worry. This is a natural calamity. If you want to mix humanity with arrogance that's your perspective.
Modi is in a trap, if he does nothing, he will be criticized, and when he takes active intee=rest, the ungrateful Kashmiris will take and then later make some negetive statements
I guess the best thing to do is to do the minimum needed, we understand the Kashmiris, and they understand us, there are no secrets here
Frankly I believe Pok and 50 % of Indian Kashmir should be given away, to whoever wants it, and the balance should be filled up with Kashmiri Pandits, and retired Indian Civil and Defence servants. Now is the time as the West is Anti Islam, China is wary and Pakistan is of no consequence to anyone
"@INDIAN:India as the dominant and leading power of South Asia has a duty to help less fortunate countries." How much you Indians are living in credulity and mellifluence that you are dominant and leading power of South Asia.China is much dominant and leading power than India in South East Asia please don't live in the dreams Indians and stop daydreaming and stargazing.And as far as Indian aid is concerned then we never need your aid because on one hand you show your enmity and on the other hand show friendship and human sympathy.Spend your money on the betterment and welfare of the poor and needy Indian people whose are living under poverty line and are facing severe shortage of basic life's necessities and requirements.Don't worry about us......
Well meaning gestures whether conveyed by Modi or Nawaz Sharif should be appreciated by both sides. These unprecedented floods have caused havoc on both sides. Indian army and Air-force are working round the clock to evacuate people and dropping food packets in marooned areas. However, there are no signs of APHC the so called representatives of the Kashmiris doing any relief work in Kashmir.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: Who is stopping you to join Pakistan? Once the water levels are low, catch the very first bus or train to Pakistan. I am sure you would be received with opened arms.
@Uzair - lahore: India is a rich country with 8-10 times more economy than Pakistan' but yea, its people are poor. Most of its money revolve around few people and Modi has already been working to tackle that.
@Aseem: Bro, additional ₹1000 crore were given to J&K later. Express Tribune doesn't report everything.
"India offers help to Pakistan" Pakistanis: we don't need your aid. We can take care of ourselves.
If the news was "China offers help(aid/money) to Pakistan"(which usually doesn't unless it gets back something) Pakistanis: Thanks, all weather friend China. Our higher than Himalayan friend. Pakistan is here only because of China.
Lets see when all the aid gates are closed what happens!
Leader of our supposed enemy offers help to aid the victims and the leader of PTI does everything to distract the govt from providing aid to the IDPs and now the floor victims, while he engages in name calling and telling open lies to his naïve followers, e.g telling them that there was no Chinese president visit planned. Only God can help people who listen to the narcissists of PTI.
Kashmiris in Indian occupied regions of Kashmir are very upset and angry with the Indian government and military's lack of response. It seems to most of us that Indians are happy at the misfortune of Pakistanis and Kashmiris. Shame on Modi, playing politics while Kashmiri Muslims are drowning in their homes.
India, if you don't care about Kashmiris, then let us join Pakistan. Pakistan always cares and loves Kashmiri people and treats us with respect. Shame on Indian government and Modi.
Apart from this letter what he said in video message, my response will be as Dear Mr Modi: No one in 'Pak occupied Kashmir' is affected by flood because there is no place in the world naming 'Pak occupied Kashmir'. I watched the your video message on Zemtv in which you offered help to govt of Pakistan for flood affected people of 'Pak occupied kashmir' (only).
He might as well feed his own people i.e. 33% of the worlds extremely poor people ( http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/BL-REB-18709 ) Or if not, then make the world a more cleaner place to live in by providing better sanitation facilities - as mentioned by this UNICEF report where only 31% of Indias total population has access to toilet ( http://www.unicef.org/india/wes.html )
This is all quite alarming, I'm afraid. We have come out as a nation whenever theres been a natural disaster and we will survive this ourselves - In sha Allah. Thanks but no thanks.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Under indus water treaty there is mechanism whenever water reaches danger mark, the other side is informed well in advance as per rules. If you are unaware about it or your authorities twist it /not inform you is not our issue. Our side does the job of informing. @usman786: "1st they opened dams and now they put salt on wounds" . If you are educated and have common sense you would know that if the water level rises above the danger mark, the dam would break and spread havoc in whole upper region of both countries and swallow it. That is why they open when it exceeds danger mark and bring it to normal level and then close it. And when you make such statement did you even think that the entire other side be kashmir,jammu,leh, some parts of Punjab are under water and thousands displaced? Our PM just declared it a national disaster for the country. And This havoc is going to cost us taxpayer more than 9000crore to rebuilt washed away roads,highways houses etc. think before you speak please. ET you seem biased why are u blocking all my replies?
@INDIAN: STOP FLOODING PAKISTAN
If you want to help, stop flooding us every year !!!!
India is a rogue state, all countries of South Asia have problems with it.
@Aseem: his govt. had already given 11000 crore to J&K and today he gave 1000 crore more so it is total 2100 crores
ET mods- please allow factual response to lieas by @Srinagar.
@Srinagar: He is not helping Jammu and Lashmir? Is there no end to the lies? I doubt that you are from Srinagar. If you were, you would know that state and central overnment are actively working to address the relief and rehabilitation tasks. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/floods-in-jammu-and-kashmir-a-national-calamity-says-pm-modi-highlights-587965
Please listen to the speech. He first spoke aout everything that is being done for Jammu and Kashmir and only then sooke about Pakistan administered Kashmir. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/floods-in-jammu-and-kashmir-a-national-calamity-says-pm-modi-highlights-587965
@Ayesha: - soooo similar in attitude to the people of gaza - bring everyone down to your level .
@INDIAN: - only if all muslim vacate india and go to pakistan or bdesh which were~created at their insistence
Looks like Modi liked the mangoes..!!
@Ishan: Its 180 million dollars thats roughly 1080 crore Indian rupees and not 2100 crores. Its only humane to offer help in the time of distress. even Nawaz Sharief has reciprocated by offering to help. There is no great heroic work tan saving a life.
1st they opened dams and now they put salt on wounds
Are letters like these sent by snail mail or email? What happens if the message ends up in the spam folder?
Lets see what stuff Nawaz Sharif is made of.......and if he accepts the offer .
Accept this offer mr NS and your career is over.
Thanks, but no thanks. We are capable to help ourselves.
He referred to people on other side of Line of Control. He did not use the word Azad Kashmir. Ow then can you put such a term in quotes and ascribe it to him? Very irresponsile. Quotatio marks can only use the exact words he used.
Having said that it is good to see politics is not payed when human tragedy is involved.
By the way Modi personally visited flood affected areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Has Nawaz Sharif visited Pak administered Kashmir? What about Zardari? Imran?
Modi Sahib, first thing you should do is to please warn us long before you open flood gates of dams and rivers. If still we don't wake up then please issue few anti Pakistan statements. Continuous abnormal rains on Kashmir mountains are not enough warnings that floods are imminent.
an opportunity perhaps.......
Nice move by Modi - I doubt the offer will be accepted - lets hope that Pakistan at least says "thanks for the offer".
good gesture by the PM. But NS won't accept it else he will be in more trouble than he already is in.
Pakistan welcomes aid from the West but not charity from its neighbors. However, since even the grass is under water maybe this time it will make an exception.
India as the dominant and leading power of South Asia has a duty to help less fortunate countries.
Modi's government hypocrisy is revealed to all people, especially Kashmiris. He only cares to use Kashmiri suffering for PR event. If this was a Hindu area, they would have sent army to evacuate the area and help with displacement. Muslims, esp Kashmiris, have no rights or respect in India. Free Kashmir.
I wish Pakistan army was here so they can help Kashmiris like they are doing in Azad Kashmir and Punjab.
Does the Muslim-Hater Prime Minister Modi think that by running to Kashmir every two weeks the Kashmiris will give up their right to self-determination?
He can keep his hand-outs and spend his money instead on toilets for his countrymen who are chronically constipated!
Modi not only visited kashmir but also promised 50k compensation to the injured! Our leaders should learn!
Please change the word 'Indian -administered Kashmir' to Indian occupied Kashmir
Modi keep your money to yourself we will let our people die of hunger and thirst but never feed Kashmiris with Indian money.
Modi did not say "azad kashmir" as reported. Don't twist even Reuters' stories.
Lucky indians, their PM is pro active in the flood relief!
Our leader like Imran Kon (K is like the letter 'C') has been holding useless dharanas in islamabad when there are million+ IDP in KPK, which under IK's rule and 100's have been killed in KPK due to flood. At least, Nawaz brothers are actively involved in the flood relief efforts in punjab!
Go IK Go, all the way to london! Go qadri go all the way to canada to collect ur welfare cheque!
This is what Modi said;
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/floods-in-jammu-and-kashmir-a-national-calamity-says-pm-modi-highlights-587965
He gave ₹2100 crore to the J&K and have offered help to Pak as well.