Flooding in India
India (MNN) — Some 10,000 people in remote areas have been stranded by monsoon rains in northern India.
The monsoon, which covers the subcontinent from June to September, usually brings some flooding. But the heavy rains arrived early this year, catching many by surprise and exposing a lack of preparedness.
Massive flash flooding and landslides in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states and Nepal has been ongoing since mid-June 2013. State officials said Sunday nearly 80,000 people had been evacuated so far from the flood-devastated regions. The United Nations says more than 1,700 families have been displaced in Nepal, too.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts have been hampered due to ongoing bad weather. The death toll is expected to hit at least a thousand. Officials say it will take years to rebuild roads, electricity towers and the entire basic infrastructure.
Government officials say the road up to Uttarkashi has re-opened. However there are two trouble points near Dharashu. Beyond Uttarkashi there are road breaches in at least 30 locations. As a result of the flood damage, there have been difficulties in communication and transportation.
Compassion International has three child development centers (IN-981, IN-982 and IN-983) in the affected areas. The latest word from their staff is that no Compassion children, staff members, or their families have been injured.
However, in other areas, families from centers IN-245, IN-288, IN-965, IN-966 and IN-967, have been affected. Partnership Facilitators are gathering information and will provide more details when that information is available.
Please pray for the safety of the children, Compassion staff members, and their families located in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
* Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
