SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, 14 October 2005 — Inclement weather yesterday hampered relief operations in quake-hit Indian-administered Kashmir where over 150,000 homeless people battling the Himalayan winter were tormented by continuing tremors.
Over 1,300 people were killed and at least 4,373 were injured after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolted Pakistan and parts of the northern Indian Jammu and Kashmir state on Oct. 8.
“A thick cloud cover has delayed helicopters laden with relief supplies from taking off. They were to fly sorties in the two districts,” an Indian Army officer said.
The Home Ministry’s national disaster management division said weather conditions had worsened due to snowfall and widespread rains in the northern areas of the state and this was causing difficulties in rescue and relief operations.
Though 1,200 people are still missing, hopes of finding survivors dimmed as six days have already passed since the quake. The number of fatalities might climb as many as 10 villages in remote Teetwal and Karnah areas have not been reached. Unofficial estimates say the number of dead could reach 2,000.
The focus has now moved from evacuation and rescue to relief measures for the homeless battling the cold. According to the NDTV network, 5,000 tents have so far been provided but thrice the number were required.
“There is a problem in reaching relief supplies but we hope to increase supplies in some time. People are facing an imminent danger of death if they do not get tents and blankets in time,” said State Finance Minister Muzaffar Baig.
Eleven-year-old Rameez, a survivor in Uri, said his family had no shelter. “We have nothing to live in. We are waiting for help.” There were angry protests in some areas where relief could not be accessed.
The threat of disease epidemics resulting from lack of safe drinking water and bodies decomposing under the debris, also looms large.
“It’s a race against time before the cold and epidemics start taking their toll,” said Aditi Kapoor, a relief worker from Oxfam. Even as survivors tried to pick up threads of life, fresh tremors measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale were felt in the state early yesterday, causing panic. At least 40 aftershocks have been felt in the state since Saturday’s earthquake.
“We are out in the bone-chilling cold since the first snowfall of the season two days ago. Then, we are facing the constant terror of these tremors. I ask God why nature is being so hard on us,” said Tariq Hussain, a school teacher.
Indian Premier Manmohan Singh meanwhile, appealed again to people to contribute toward relief efforts.
