(Vatican Radio) According to Indian officials, at least 3,000 people are still missing
as heavy and incessant rains, which began in mid-June, continue to hit Northern regions,
with the state of Uttarakhand most affected.
Official figures show that 1,000
people have died, but as as debris is cleared these numbers are expected to rise.
Christian Aid local partner organisation CASA is providing immediate relief
to those who need it most, and Christian Aid officers are on the ground to assess
long-term issues such as housing and livelihoods.
Melanie Smith is a press
officer for Christian Aid and is currently in Uttarakhand state visiting communities
affected by the recent devastating flash floods and landslides. She spoke to Vatican
Radio's Linda Bordoni of the situation…
listen to the interview...
Melanie
explains that many people, both in urban and in rural areas have been dramatically
affected by the extreme weather conditions that have brought the largest rainfall
and the strongest monsoons experienced in the area in about 80 years. So it’s affected
people in different ways.
She tells of a visit to a camp set up by Christian
Aid’s local partner CASA which is caring for about 500 people whose houses have been
destroyed by floodwater and debris. Here they are providing basic necessities such
as food, water, blankets as well as facilitating essential medical assistance.
Melanie
also narrates of a visit to an isolated mountain community that has experienced devastating
landslides in the last two weeks. She says she met one family who lost four members
when their house was crushed by falling debris from higher up in the mountains.
In
the mountains, she says, the extreme downpours have not only caused devastating landslides,
the huge amount of water has penetrated the earth causing geological shifts that have
damaged many buildings.
She points out that it is not just people living by
the rivers that are affected, but also those high in the mountains.
The effects
of climate change – Melanie says – are evident in the fact that the people here are
experiencing more rainfalls in shorter periods, and the monsoons are coming earlier
and heavier.
Melanie also speaks of the work of Christian Aid and other partner
associations who, at the moment, are assessing the situation to be able to put in
place long term assistance geared for recovery and development. She says this is very
important for the future.
She says that of course many women and children have
been affected, and many schools have been destroyed so the future of many children’s
education is uncertain at the moment.