Tuesday, October 18 2005 14:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Muzaffarabad: Pakistani and US military helicopters delivered aid at a brisk pace today (Oct 14, 2005) to the earthquake-stricken region of Kashmir and relief workers rushed to set up field hospitals to treat thousands of stranded, injured people who have yet to receive any care.

Choppers landed every five minutes or so under sunny skies in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pak-Occupied-Kashmir, bringing tents and other supplies. Heavy rains on Sunday grounded many relief flights.

Authorities warned that exposure and infections could drive the death toll up from 54,000 as the harsh Himalayan winter loomed. Landslides caused by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake on Oct 8 cut off many roads, and they could take weeks to clear.

Maj Farooq Nasir, an army spokesman, said smaller helicopters would take relief goods brought by big choppers to forward bases in the Neelum and Jhelum valleys on to remote mountain villages.

The United Nations said more than 80 helicopters were flying, and that the world body was planning to send up to 150,000 tents for the homeless, in addition to about 30,000 already distributed.

It said field hospitals with operating theaters were being set up, improving the survival chances for those requiring urgent surgery, but that the large numbers of patients was still 'overwhelming.'

"The need to avoid further loss of life after the original disaster is paramount," the world body said in a statement.