J-K floods: Over 40 families lose their homes, look forward to Govt. support

Over 40 families, who were hit by the devastating landslides triggered by heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir, are currently stationed at makeshift army tents, but face harsh weather conditions ahead.

Many complained that they have been abandoned by authorities, which have deployed security throughout the region to quell possible social unrest as a result of the floods.

The residents stranded for days because of the severe rains said that the army has selectively evacuated the tourists and people according to a pre-set priority list, leaving the locals to be rescued by volunteers.

The poor people here are still struggling for basic amenities like safe drinking water, food packets and blankets.

The locals here are extremely upset over lack of support from the state government in this hour of crisis.

Mohammad Anwer, a flood victim, said the army had provided them with few makeshift tents to stay but their belongings were lost and there was no food or drinking water.

"There are some 40 to 50 families who are sitting outside. The army has given us a tent for one two days. They will take their tents away in a few days then where will we stay. There is no place to stay. All our belongings are under the landslide. There is no arrangement of food and water," said Anwer.

Nusret Begum, another resident, said the government was paying no heed to them and no official had taken stock of the situation.

"We request the government to provide us relief material so that we can rebuild our house. There is no arrangement of food or water. No one has come till now," said Begum.

Both the Indian and Pakistani sides of the disputed Himalayan region have seen extensive flooding and landslides this month with Srinagar particularly hard hit. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands are homeless.