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 River Flowing through
to enhance that beauty,
heritage buildings,
houseboats and
business centers

A valley of unparallel
beauty
Hills, Lakes and World
class golf courses
 Kashmir before the 2014 Floods
Vibrant Populous Cities
and Historical Structures

Gardens, Flower fields,

Parks and Forests
 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
number
 Art and cultural revival was on the anvil with
international concerts being held
 A thriving , healthy robust economy was evolving
Kashmir – Then came the floods
 Worst flood in over 100 years
 Approximately 400 people dead
 Over 600,000 people stranded
 Over 3 million people impacted
 Early estimate of economic devastation $5bn
 Potential threat of epidemics
 Thousand left homeless and shelter less
 Drinking water is a crisis
 Hospitals and schools are in ruins
 2500 villages impacted, 450 are completely
submerged
 Extensive 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

No School for kids,

no classrooms, no
books, still
submerged
The famed
Presentation
Convent School on
the banks of River
Jhelum - in a high
end area
Kashmir : Business
A deathly calm in
its submerged
state

A thriving business
center with hustle
and bustle
Kashmir : Hospitals

Non-functional and
in ruins

Well equipped
Hospitals
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/)