Screen-shot of a social media appeal by a Kashmiri woman:

Medhaj News: Hundreds of people have logged on to social networking sites likes facebook and twitter to share information on floods, which have created havoc in Jammu and Kashmir, and are even collecting aid for the victims.

People are sharing pictures and information of the affected areas and rescue and relief efforts being undertaken by the central and state authorities on these portals.

Anybody seeking assistance related to the flood crisis in J-K can also approach Home Ministry’s control room in New Delhi at the telephone numbers: (011) 23093054, 23092763, 23093564, 23092923, 23092885, 23093566, 23093563.

However, help-lines are getting clogged by the frequency of calls. Officials are throwing up their hands in despair. The State Government obviously has been caught off-guard. But one expected the Omar Govt to rush in personnel, cancel leaves of Government employees, call help from Jammu and press State Police Forces in rescue operations. Are we moving towards a situation where Omar Govt is failing to deal with the crisis?



Social networking sites are playing a crucial role in disseminating information, coordinating relief work, and mobilizing citizens.

On facebook, people are seeking information from fellow citizens in other districts of the state.

“Someone from Rajbagh plz try to contact,” said a post on facebook.

“My father is in Karanpura, Srinagar…. how to contact wid my dad :'( :'(,” said Priti Das on facebook.

People have also opened an online forum ‘Volunteers for flood victims in J&K;’ to donate money, clothes, blankets or other essential commodities.

“People at Lala Rukh hotel, near Gantaghr, Lal Chowk, Srinagar trapped in 2nd storey. if somebody could help…. Its urgent pls pls,” said the facebook post by an user.

On Twitter, tweets from the Indian part of Kashmir are informing people regardless of religion, caste or creed. Floods ravaging POK also; but not much social media news coming from there…

Following tweets are from @iftikhargilani bureau chief of DNA. These give a feel of what is happening on the ground:

`All agencies NDRF, Navy, Army, state gov, state disaster manage, local gps doing individually need a unified coordination centre..’

`Justice Markendy Katju issues appel to help the People in Jammu & Kashmir. His numbers 011-23010271’

`Hourly bulletins needed. total info blakout of North & South Kashmir. no news coming’

`Thnx efforts Maharashtra gov to send 300 boats to Sgr..Ist 30 reaching via Air Force Plane in two hrs’

`Zakat foundation team.left Sgr wid rubber boats n life jckts.contc dr zafar 9873624919, 9810128972’

`Why Jammu and Kashmir is not on Central Water Commission flood map? http://www.india-water.gov.in/eSWIS-MapViewer/ …’

`Former dir DD Farooq NazkiSOS..marooned, n water level rising in his house..administration busy wid PM tour’.

`60 to 70 children trapped at orphinage Sgr. Wter level rising no rescue team yet.orphanage numbers 9596531785, 9622509815’

`Kashmir floods:building at Raj Bagh verge of collapse. 100 ppl trapped inside, calling for help’

`Sheikh abdul salam rtd dev commr & his wife takin refuge in noor masjid raj bagh.calling fr help.water rising alarmingly’

`200 people evacuated from Haigam near Sopore by naval marine commandos’

@NaqKash is another handle tweeting regularly:

`CONFIRMED :- Qamarwari almost completely evacuated. Rescue is still on. No news as to the whereabouts of the rescued’

`Urgent :- Around 15 girls are trapped in Akash Girls hostel rajbagh near Lawrence school Rescue teams are req. to send HELP’

`CONFIRMED :- Mobile networks are partially up in #Kashmir. Common folks, try calling home. Batteries are dead in some cases’

`CONFIRMED :- Water in Shah Anwar Colony and Gulberg Colony, Pir Bagh is Chest High. PLEASE Notify for Evacuations’

@_Faysal another Kashmiri is tweeting this: `Bemina residents have been evacuated. Don't know which colonies exact. Call the helpline +91 98 58 008287 @majidpandit #KashmirFloods’

`Tche roz theek paanas" ( you stay alright) what my mother said three days back after I told her to take care. No words after that’

@_Faysal vents his justified anger also: `Strange how people are playing politics on a humanitarian effort which a country is bound by. Can we pause and fix this first?’

This one for Indian media: @_Faysal `At the time of this humanitarian catastrophe, Indian media is declaring propaganda war on #Kashmir yet again. Pity them’

``The entire Kashmir valley is densely militarized. But instead of being a help, this has proved an obstacle in relocating people 2 safer areas’



`Most of the mobile towers have fallen #kashmir” #KashmirFloods’

`Listening to some harrowing tales of abandonment and heroic tales of rescue by local youths including teenagers. #KashmirFloods’

`@bilalbhat: sangam bijbera is submerged in water no news as to what happened with people #kashmirFloods" Pervez Rasool's hometown’

Some tweets from Pakistan:

If anyone wants to volunteer for relief work in Islamabad town,contact @NPatigaru @09906927006 #KashmirFloods

@Omar_Quraishi (Pakistan) Jhang -- a city in Pakistan's Punjab province with a population of half a million has now been cut off by floodwaters



Floods in Kashmir have left 150 dead and caused huge damage to road, rail and other infrastructure.

The teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have alone evacuated more than 5,246 people–5,223 from Kashmir region and 23 from Jammu.