Life In The Aftermath of Jammu & Kashmir Floods

Srinagar: After last month's floods caused massive destruction in Jammu & Kashmir, problems seem to be only mounting for those affected.

Hundreds of families displaced by the floods, are now living in tents braving the chilly autumn season. Short on resources and with little hope of returning home, these uprooted families are looking for help.

"We ask the rulers to have mercy on us, God will have mercy on them, we are in extreme distress, we are not beggars, but we are extremely helpless, said a distraught Taja Begum.

Ms Begum's house in Srinagar's upmarket Rajbagh area was destroyed in the floods, and as a result, her family of six now eats and sleeps in a tent pitched along the banks of the Jhelum river in Srinagar. A few blankets and some rice distributed by relief organisations is all they have.

Taja begum's family says they are disappointed with the government. "We haven't got free ration as announced by the government - people come here and donate, some five kilograms, some 10...that is how we manage," said Begum's husband Mohammad Abdullah Khosa.

Meanwhile, the government says flood-hit families are entitled to six months of free ration. "We have clarified this through government orders as well as through personal meetings...all flood affected families are entitled to six months of free ration and a total of 210 kg per ration ticket", said Rohit Kansal Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.

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But when the temperature drops to nearly 5 degrees in the night, it is families uprooted by floods and those living in hundreds of tented colonies who are worst hit. There is no heating and there is no light.

During the day these families visit their damaged house to assess the condition and plan ways to rebuild their life. 

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