The Kashmir Flood Catastrophy_Why do we care?

THE KASHMIR FLOOD CRISIS: Sept 2014

Kashmir • Located amidst the mighty Himalayas, North India borders with China and Pakistan

• City of Srinagar is the capital home to 1.2 million inhabitants (2011)

• Total population of Kashmir Valley is estimated at 4 million

• Famous for its natural beauty, tourism, handicraft, horticulture and cuisine

Switzerland of the East

Kashmir before the 2014 Floods

A valley of unparallel beauty

Hills, Lakes and World class golf

courses

A River Flowing through to enhance

that beauty, heritage buildings,

houseboats and business centers

Kashmir before the 2014 Floods

Gardens, Flower fields, Parks and

Forests

Vibrant Populous Cities and Historical

Structures

Kashmir before the 2014 Floods

Approximately 1.2 million tourists visited the valley in 2013

Business had began thriving after years of political turmoil

Highways, Flyovers, City Expansion projects were on

Educational institutions were increasing in numberArt and cultural revival was on the anvil with

international concerts being held A thriving , healthy robust economy was evolving

Kashmir – Then came the floodsWorst flood in over 100 yearsApproximately 400 people deadOver 600,000 people strandedOver 3 million people impactedEarly estimate of economic devastation $5bnPotential threat of epidemicsThousand left homeless and shelter lessDrinking water is a crisisHospitals and schools are in ruins2500 villages impacted, 450 are completely submergedExtensive loss of heritage architecture, art and

masterpieces

Kashmir Floods 2014

Widespread Destruction : Over 3 million people impacted

Kashmir Floods 2014

Widespread Destruction : Over $5bn in economic loss

Kashmir Floods 2014

A vibrant city in putrid waters : Epidemics waiting to break

Kashmir Floods 2014

Highways, Flyovers Roads and Offices are submerged

Kashmir Floods 2014

City Center, Business Centers and Residential Areas are collapsing

Kashmir : Schools and Colleges

The famed Presentation

Convent School on the banks of River Jhelum - in a high

end area

No School for kids, no

classrooms, no books, still submerged

Kashmir : Business

A thriving business center with hustle and

bustle

A deathly calm in its

submerged state

Kashmir : Hospitals

Well equipped Hospitals

Non-functional and in ruins

Kashmir : Hospitals

Kashmir : Why do we care• The worst natural disaster due to floods

in Jammu & Kashmir in over 100 years. • Around 5 million people affected (4.5

million in Kashmir and 500,000 in Jammu areas) [i]

• Over 2,500 villages, hamlets and towns submerged in water [i]

• Latest official death-count in Srinagar is over 284.

• More than 400 deaths overall in the Kashmir region [ii]

Over 600,000 people remained stranded in Kashmir Valley. [iii]

Kashmir : Why do we care• Six major hospitals in Srinagar are either submerged or

inaccessible. [i]

• Immediate loss of INR 5,400-5,700 crore (Approx $5bn) to economy [iv]

• Floods have washed out Kashmir apple's crop worth Rs 1,000 crore leaving a devastating impact on growers [v]

• All major schools, office buildings, business establishments, and other infrastructure in the affected parts are feared to have some extent of damage. [i]

• Kashmir's Floods devastation parallel to Katrina [vi]

• Health experts have warned that stagnant waters in the aftermath of devastating floods in Kashmir could create conditions for serious disease outbreaks [vii]

Kashmir : What next

[i] http://qz.com/263010/these-10-numbers-tell-the-story-of-the-catastrophic-floods-in-jammu-and-kashmir/[ii] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JK-floods-Death-toll-mounts-to-284/articleshow/43259123.cms [iii] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jammu-and-kashmir-floods-srinagar-indian-army-ndrf/1/382425.html)[iv] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Over-Rs-5000-crore-loss-to-JK-economy-due-to-floods-Assocham/articleshow/42431652.cms [v] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Floods-cause-Rs-1000cr-loss-to-apple-crop-in-KashmirAssocham/articleshow/42987126.cms [vi] (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yousra-y-fazili/are-kashmirs-floods-india_b_5814744.html)[vii] http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/09/17/378998/floodwaters-raise-health-risk-in-kashmir/)