Kashmir Floods - What caused them and aftermath

I am 36 and I haven't ever heard of Kashmir getting flooded let alone ravaged and submerged like it happened this September 2014.As somebody pointed out this is one of the worst urban flood disaster of India comparable only to the way Hurricane Katrina destroyed U.S. state of New Orleans.Today in News I heard Kashmir valley is like a saucer,if water comes in its hard to flush it out.People also point out that because of Urbanization and high influx of tourists plastic waste increased which was not processed but left to clog rivers and drains which led to flood like situations just as it happened in Mumbai few years back.Many Kashmiris told horrific tales of their ordeal stating it was difficult to escape flood waters since most houses have sloped roofs.Like if it floods in Bihar you can stay on roof if your house gets submerged but in Kashmir because of snow-fall most houses have sloped roofs and you can hardly stay up there.

Yasin Malik too  was criticized the way he hindered rescue and help efforts not even thanking army which had earlier rescued him.Though I found it strange when I saw on T.V. army distributing Maggi packets and biscuits to civilians,I mean how on earth they would cook Maggi when there is no fuel or clean water and they have taken shelter on upper floors.Women folks were worst affected even in relief camps as no toilets or Bathrooms were provided for them.There were few people and fewer boats to rescue stranded folks and the camps rescued people were taken to were no better.Crores of property have been destroyed and people ruined.No doubt government could have done better and still has a lot to do.We the common people of India were saddened by this awful tragedy and many people came forward to help and many wished to help and had empathy in their hearts for the common folks of Kashmir who saw their Heaven turned into Hellish Nightmare.Many Cows and Cattle have perished and their carcasses floating in the water emit stench and may cause diseases.

Hope is the only way forward,like in an interview on AajTak a little boy on a Shikara boat was as cheerful as ever talking about his family and the night when floods came.