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Aid agencies fear crisis after floods

26 July 2013

by a staff reporter

CHRISTIAN AID/SARAH FILBEY

Aftermath of floods in Uttarakhand: a man stands with his daughter where his house once stood, a few feet from where his wife's body was found

AID agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in northern India, a month after devastating floods killed at least 6000 people. Some villages still cut off from help (News, 5 July).

Many of those who were killed were pilgrims travelling to shrines in the region.

Continuing rain and fog mean that rescuers and aid supplies have been unable to reach some of the mountain villages in Uttarakhand.

Two rescue-helicopters have already crashed in the government's operation to get supplies into about 135 remote communities.

More than 500,000 people have been affected by the flooding, and crops, livestock, and infrastructure have been swept away.

Christian Aid's emergency officer, Yeeshu Shukla, said: "The incessant rain has caused floods and landslides, which, as well as leading to many deaths, have destroyed agricultural land and small businesses, and wiped out livestock.

"We have major fears that if this situation continues in the months ahead, malnutrition will be a growing problem as people are unable to earn an income."

Aid workers have taken to trekking several miles to deliver supplies, where landslides have left roads impassable.

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