by Kalpit Parajuli

At least 130 victims and 100 thousand pilgrims blocked. Houses, roads and bridges swept away by the mud. The most serious damage to the Indian state of Uttarkhand. Kathmandu unlocks 10 million rupees (about 79,500 Euros) for relief operations.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - "The floods have hit us very badly. We are doing our best to minimize losses and save as many lives we can" Vijay Bahugun, chief minister of Uttarkhand, relays to AsiaNews.  The Indian state is one of the most affected by the torrential rains that have been hammering northern India and western regions of Nepal. The two governments have deployed every possible force at their disposal, including the military, to contain the emergency. To date, the official report speaks of more than 130 people dead and at least 100 thousand Hindu pilgrims blocked. Houses and infrastructures have been seriously damaged.

According to data released by the authorities, 35 people died in Nepal overwhelmed by mud and 2,500 houses were swept away. Thousands of people are still waiting to be rescued. At least 2 thousand Indian Hindu pilgrims find themselves stuck in various zones of the West. Bridges and roads are impassable, and this is making rescue operations more difficult. Given the emergency, last night the government released Rs 10 million (approximately EUR 79,500) and made four helicopters available.

Nepal does not have adequate training in the disaster management and prevention. Thus, every year the beginning of the rainy season causes huge damage.

Meanwhile, in India the death toll has stopped - for the moment - at 70 victims and 75 thousand Hindu pilgrims blocked. The faithful were headed to Char Dham-known a Hindu spiritual center, close to the western Nepal.

The chief minister of Uttarkhand explains that "the worst damage is around the area of ​​Kedarnath. I have already spoken with the central government and our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking for help. He assured me that he will send at least 10 more helicopters and more equipment. " The local administration has already deployed a dozen helicopters to help rescue operations. According Bahugun it is the worst flooding since 1960 and could cause severe losses to the whole of India.

 

• india
• nepal
• monsoon
• flooding
• rescue
• operations
• mudslides
• death
• toll