Ladakh reconstruction remains sluggish as winter approaches

By Amulya Nagaraj
September 22, 2010 8:14 AM EDT 2010 has been a year for extremes. Pakistan saw one of the worst floods in its history that affected over 21 million people, while Central Europe and the Baltics witnessed severe flash floods early in August that killed at least 15. And the small Indian town of Ladakh, situated on a plateau around 3,500 meters above sea level, was destroyed almost overnight as flash floods hammered the region which usually receives very little rainfall. About 80 percent of the town’s infrastructure was destroyed. Farming, one of the staple sources of income in the region, was also wiped out in the floods. Aid poured into the region from the Indian governments as well as the state governments and private and non-governmental organizations. Camps have been set up offering food and medicines to people dislodged from their homes. The Indian Prime Minister, the President and several other dignitaries have visited the region and promised more aid. But more than a month after the disaster occurred, reconstruction and rehabilitation are yet to begin in the region. … There is no money for removing debris as most of the funds are directed towards construction and solatium. About 60 percent of the land is still covered with debris, according to Jorgyes. The irrigation channels have been washed away and they need to be reconstructed, he added. Around 30,000 canals of agricultural land are under the debris, according to an initial report by Gyurja-TISS. …