Pakistan (MNN) — After more than a month of battling massive flooding in Pakistan and the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gospel for Asia Compassion Services relief teams are now on the front lines bringing hope and material aid to the victims of new floods in three North India states.
Floods in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi have left an estimated two million people homeless and another 380 dead in their wake.
Even as the Yamuna River, which flows through the nation's capital of New Delhi, began to recede, it remained high above the danger level. Further upstream, mudslides washed out 1,500 roads and highways, stranding some 3,000 religious pilgrims for a week and cutting them off from relief efforts.
A major rail bridge in the city of Ambala, where Gospel for Asia ministers to slum dwellers and supports a womens' Bible college, was threatened by the floods, and several mainline trains had to be diverted to other routes.
In addition to homes, the waters also took a devastating toll on farmland and livestock, wiping out the livelihood of thousands of poor farm families.
"Imagine how desperate and demoralized you would be if you lost your home and possessions, and in addition, your teenage son was drowned in the flood waters," said GFA President K.P. Yohannan.
"That's the kind of tragedy that has been experienced by hundreds of families in these flood-stricken villages."
"All around this river, you have people by the hundreds of thousands living in mud-brick houses," Dr. Yohannan tearfully explained, "and these simple huts have been completely washed away by 25 or 30 feet of water.
"And within the house, all of he furniture, beds, clothes, utensils and the kids' books–everything–is completely ruined. Everything the family has, which is not much, is all gone."
It is to these desperate families, Dr. Yohannan said, that GFA Compassion Services teams are currently ministering. "Our people are now desperately trying to bring these suffering men, women and children the basic necessities they need, including food, water, clothing, shelter and medicines."
