New Delhi (AsiaNews) - "On 7 August heavy rain began [in 90 minutes about 100 mm of water fell]. Then the fury of nature unleashed a humanitarian tragedy", says Fr. Justin. The priest lives about a mile from the epicentre of the sea of mud and water that swept away entire villages and hundreds of people, including Italian Riccardo Pitton, one Spanish and three French.
Authorities speak of at least 166 dead (23 foreigners) and hundreds of "missing" in the area of Ladakh in Kashmir. The Indian Army has been working for days to rescue hundreds of people, including many foreign tourists, after the water and mud buried roads and isolated the entire area. Even ultra-specialized Cheetah helicopters are having difficulties, with many rescues taking place "in flight" for fear that helicopters would remained mired in the mud.
It is even difficult to get information on the disaster: August 8, Aamir Ali, a government official of the Office for Disaster Management, announced that "were recovered the bodies of five foreigners; three French, one Spanish and an Italian" . But still today, Italian and French official sources claim that the search for bodies are still ongoing. Today the family of Henri Augareils, 58, considered one of the dead French, expressed "great hope" that their loved one is only missing, given that he is an expert mountain climber and that he may have sought shelter and still be isolated.
Father Britto Suresh is Parish priest in St. Peter’s parish and Father Justin the Director of the Centre for Social Services in the village of Choglamsar, half a kilometre from the village of Leh submerged by the flood. Even in Choglamasar water destroyed over 500 houses and 300 shops, 400 homes have been uprooted: in about 20 minutes the entire landscape was changed, the water left behind it debris and lifeless bodies. Bridges and temples were washed away, the army has been working tirelessly with bulldozers but said it will take 7-10 days to restore communications.
Father Britto tells AsiaNews: "We used our vehicles to take people to hospitals, our school and convent were surrounded on three sides by flood water. Initially the army was reluctant to help [there is a permanent military presence in the area because Kashmir is near the border with China and Pakistan, countries with which New Delhi has fought wars not yet officially over]. Then the soldiers intervened, building refugee camps. The sisters are helping refugees tirelessly, giving material aid and comfort to children and women. The Church is now trying to arrange long-term aid for the village".
Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar estimated there were 400-500 dead, even if they only about 60 bodies were recovered, more than 400 homes destroyed, hundreds more damaged with about 3,500 homeless people who lost everything.
With the help of Swami Radha Satsang Ji says Fr. Justin, "we immediately opened a canteen in the village to feed the many homeless. Our school and convent have welcomed refugees. There are scenes that break my heart. In one Buddhist family there were seven victims, including a child our students: the family are stunned, you can see their pain in their eyes. Many people lost everything”.
The river Indus passes 50 meters from the church of St. Peter and the waters have reached the school, but the priests’ only concern is helping people.
The area is a popular tourist destination, famous for the Tibetan monasteries, trekking and rafting. Official Indian sources speak of about 25 thousand people affected, about 7 thousand soldiers engaged in rescue operations and rebuilding houses and bridges. Among the "missing" there could also be 33 soldiers.