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.
