Srinagar, India – September 5, 2104

1. Various of local men putting sand bags on banks of river Jhelum

2. Local men putting sand into bag

3. Men putting sand bag on river bank

4. Wide of partially submerged houses

5. Group of women and children near flooded river

6. National highway inundated with flood water

7. People rowing boats on flooded road

8. Various of people wading through flood water

9. Various of partially submerged houses

10. Wide of cars driving along flooded road

11. Wide of cars stuck on flooded road

STORYLINE:

Victims of severe flooding in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday accused the Indian authorities of doing nothing to help, as officials said the number of dead rose to at least 28. Residents of the main city of Srinagar were laying sandbags along the banks of the swollen Jhelum river to try to prevent the waters from rising further.

Local authorities asked for help from federal rescue officials on Friday as relentless rains continued to lash much of the Himalayan region, forcing thousands to abandon their homes in search of shelter.

Parts of the main city of Srinagar were flooded and officials said the Jhelum river was up to two seven feet above its danger level. Power and telephone links have been snapped in many areas and supplies of clean drinking water have been hit, officials said.

The local meteorological office said the heavy rains may ease later on Friday. The Himalayan region has been hit by its worst monsoon flooding in more than two decades.