Quake disaster survivors storm UN helicopters

The United Nations said it has suspended aid missions to two areas in Pakistan’s quake-hit Kashmir region after dozens of survivors stormed two UN helicopters and forced an airlift.

Meanwhile, Pakistan said it has prepared ”contingency” relief camps to cope with another wave of refugees who might flee the winter weather.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of more snowfall in the coming hours, following days of heavy storms that dumped up to 9 feet of snow in parts of Kashmir and north-western Pakistan, forcing the suspension of helicopter flights and aid deliveries.

The October 8 quake killed about 87,000 people and left 3.5 million homeless, mostly in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the country’s north-western region. Control over Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which both claim all of it.

On Friday, more than 50 survivors forced their way onto two UN helicopters, forcing pilots to take them to Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Abbottabad, a hub for relief activities.

One air safety officer was assaulted, the UN said, without elaborating.

The UN said it cancelled “planned flights into Bana Mula and Leepa,” both more than 60 miles southwest of Muzaffarabad.

The world body said it was investigating the incident and evaluating the possibility of relocating villagers to lower-lying areas.

Helicopters are vital for the mammoth relief effort, particularly after heavy snows recently blocked roads, hampering aid deliveries for days.

All roads into the Kaghan and Siran Valleys in the North West Frontier Province are blocked with nearly 10 feet of snow in some areas, the UN said.

Pakistan said yesterday that it had prepared several ”contingency” camps if faced with an influx of quake survivors who decide to head for lower ground.

“It’s a bitter winter,” said Maj. Gen. Khalid Nawaz Khan, commander Pakistan’s military in Kashmir. “Things are being taken care of. We are prepared for any contingency.”

Officials and aid agencies have warned the weather could cause a second wave of deaths or force even more evacuations from higher up in the Himalayas.

“We’re going to hit more bad weather, no question,” said Keith Ursel, the World Food Program quake operations manager. “We have to send specialist teams to clear up the snow before we can land our choppers too.”