BSF sets up medical camps as disease threaten victims in flood-hit Kashmir

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday set up medical camps as disease threatens flood-affected victims in Jammu and Kashmir.

Emergency workers are struggling to prevent waterborne diseases like cholera as fetid water swilled around localities.

Both the Indian and Pakistani sides have seen extensive flooding this month with Srinagar particularly hard hit. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands are homeless.

Hospitals were flooded when the Jhelum burst its banks and scattered around the Srinagar city.

Doctors were running out of medicines and surgical equipment as they struggled to provide emergency services in makeshift medical centers.

"Due to massive flood, there is threat of spreading of diseases in the area. For that reason BSF officials have set up free medical camps so that we get medical aid and proper treatment to prevent diseases that are spreading," said Rama, who is a victim.

People have been coming in with respiratory infections and gastric problems because of which the municipal authorities are collecting rubbish from pools of stagnant water and the fire department was using fire engines to pump out waterlogged areas.

Meanwhile, the clerics in Srinagar performed prayers for people who lost their lives in worst flooding in 60 years.

"Flood has hit Kashmir and created havoc. Lot of people lost their lives and we have incurred huge losses. We have lost our property. People are coming from many places to read the holy Koran. They are holding prayers for the departed soul," said a resident Syed Ahmad Mir.

More than 200,000 people have been rescued since the floods arrived and communication networks have also been partially restored.

The Indian army has deployed about 30,000 troops for rescue and relief operations and soldiers distributed 224,000 liters of water and food to survivors. In a gesture of solidarity, the staff at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) gave up one day's salary for flood relief.