Floods cast shadow on Diwali celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir

The devastating floods that hit Jammu and Kashmir last month have casted a shadow on Diwali celebrations.

Diwali, the festival of lights and sweets, was last year celebrated here with fervour. But this year the celebrations have seen a downfall as the leading sweet sellers and dry fruit sellers were inundated by the floods.Most of these shops have yet not resumed their businesses and those of few operational have not made any special sweets for occasion.

"We could not make new variants of sweets due to the shortage of labour and unavailability of raw material needed," said Mohd shafi, a shopkeeper.

The sweet sellers here have not yet received any orders from the customers either.

More than 1.5 million people were directly affected by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the worst the state has seen in 50 years.

Over 280 people were killed in the state besides widespread damage to public and private properties, commercial establishments and infrastructure.