Avalanches, house collapses and exposure to sub-zero temperatures from the heaviest snowfall in two decades have killed approximately 400 people in Kashmir over the past couple of weeks. Government officials estimate at least 2 million people out of the population of 10 million have been affected to varying degrees by the heavy snowfall and Indian Kashmir has asked for $333 million in federal aid to cope with the devastation.1
Local Update
Further avalanches have occurred in the area this week. Local residents report that they have never seen such heavy snowfall and avalanches. Many villages that have escaped the avalanches and swirling snowstorms, are cut off and overwhelmed.
To date, information is unreliable due to the difficulties in accessing the area, but reports estimate around 400 confirmed dead and staff believe the real figure may be much higher. The worst affected area is Anantnag District, where 3 villages have been wiped out. Save the Children are aware of 5 camps currently set up in Anantnag
Fighting broke out on 11 March in Anantnag District, cutting off the road where Save the Children's Kashmir team was travelling; staff are not in currently in danger, however the situation will be monitored.
The army is increasing its relief operation with thousands of blankets, tents, clothing, food, kerosene, etc being transported into the area.
Save the Children Response
Save the Children is providing family kits (blankets, lanterns, cloth material, utensils) for 2 of the 5 camps in Anantnag - reaching 133 families in one camp, and 84 families in the second.
Save the Children is supporting the Government department to restart ICDS centres and provide emergency schooling in 2 camps initially (reaching more than 100 children), providing carpets, blankets, notebooks, buckets, hygiene supplies and toys.2
Assessments are underway to determine the response in the other 3 camps in Anantnag.
Community kits are being provided to 6 communities (5 kits for each community containing shovels, pick axes and tarpaulins).
Save the Children teams have supported residents of 4 affected villages to dig out and recover valuables, with a particular focus on Waltengoo village in Anantnag where 212 people died.
Further Actions
Save the Children is assessing further needs areas such as Doda District, Jammu.
The opportunities for a larger response and consequent funding requirements will be followed up by the team in India.
Footnote:
1 AFP report quoted on Reliefweb 4/3/2005
2 Some materials have been procured new, some were in stock from the 1999 Kargil conflict.