The Aussies stranded by India flight pause

Today Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a pause in direct passenger flights between India and Australia until May 15, due to the soaring coronavirus outbreak.

But the announcement has left countless desperate Aussies stranded.

"God bless India. In a lot of ways, I feel that India has been kinder and more humane than the Australian government," Aussie teacher Peter Dunoon told A Current Affair.

READ MORE: India records 320,000 coronavirus cases as foreign help arrives

India has become a nation on its knees as 300,000 plus new COVID-19 cases are discovered each day with those numbers expected to rise to half a million cases by next month.

India, which is the second most populated country in the world with 1.366 billion people, is now in the fight of their lives.

Mr Dunoon who is stuck in India near Mumbai told A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall the situation has become "very frightening" for him.

READ MORE: SOS messages, panic as virus breaks India's health system

"I've been separated from my family now for more than a year. It's been going on for a year and a half and that prospect is scary," he said.

"I think if a quarantine system is being put in place in Australia and it's a good one, then I think that's a fairly callous response, to people who are in desperate situations in India and other countries. But particularly in India being the circumstance as it is."

Mr Dunoon has made himself a makeshift home out of a disused spice and tea shop to isolate himself and is using a sleeping bag to hide under - even though it's quite warm - to avoid mosquitos.

READ MORE: Australia standing by 'true friend' India, PM says

His makeshift home has no working fridge and he uses a handbasin to do all his washing.

While Mr Dunoon said he tries to stay positive and is fit for his age, he is concerned about what the consequences would be like for him, if he were to get COVID-19.

"I would be very concerned because basic medicine and you know treatment is very inadequate in this area and my main concern is for those around me, who often can't afford medical treatment," he said.

READ MORE: WA braced for 'significant' increase in India-linked COVID-19 cases

India's dark outlook is now reflected in the soaring prices on the black market for critical items.

Desperate people are paying $1700 for oxygen cylinders which usually cost about $100. 

The lifesaving drug Remdesivir is normally about $68 but now has a price tag of about $1200, while another medical drug, Tocilizumab, - which normally costs about $690 - is being marked up to more than $5000.

READ MORE: Twitter blocks posts critical of India PM's COVID-19 response

Administrator of the Australians Stuck in India Facebook forum, Joh Gwynn, said people who have severe medical emergencies or major surgeries booked in Australia now have little prospect of getting on a flight back.

The forum is now full of desperate pleas from Australians trying to get back home.

"There's countless families that are separated from each other including young children who are with their grandparents or other relatives and are separated from one or two of their parents at the moment," Ms Gwynn said.

The Australian Federal Government has set up a 24-hour Consular Emergency Helpline for those who need assistance on 1300 555 135.