When it rained in Kashmir
- Text and photographs: Ambica Gulati
One of those milestone days, September 7, 2014, when nature
decides to speak without words, but the grim scene of the land speaks in
untold ways. The news was talking all about the floods, devastation and
problems that Kashmir’s low-lying areas or near water ones were facing. But
sitting high up in the green mountains of Gulmarg, it was only a virtual
reality. Coming down to catch the flight to Srinagar, we left much before time
as we didn’t want to get stuck anywhere. But we were unprepared for the
devastation we saw as we came near Bemina. The networks were down, so the
mobiles had stopped working. Meenakshi and Rita, my companions, and our young
driver, Sabraz, were all trying to remain calm. We had put on songs earlier but
as the Scorpio reached near the pockets of devastation, the songs were switched
off. In one area we saw people sitting and watching the water. And
then the police told us that ‘sailab aaya na yahan’, the floods have come. Somehow
the human mind is so dense, it just doesn’t sink in how deep the troubled
waters are. Until you hit the bottom.
Along
the way, we saw people had taken shelter in a petrol
pump, cows and all. And then we reached Bemina and it was all the shock
we
needed. The police and the locals were guiding us to turn back to
Gulmarg but I
think the four of us were more inclined to reach the airport rather than
turning back with our tails tucked in so to speak. In retrospect, I
think we were just plain lucky.
Sabraz actually said that the water was scaring him and
Meenakshi was trying to find a way to connect to our hotel, The Khyber, but all
lines of our phones were down. And to top it, Sarraz’s Aircel phone didn’t have
balance, so we couldn’t speak though that network was working.
It was at Bemina and then through all the twists and turns
within Srinagar, that we saw the real destruction. The water had seeped in
thigh high. People in the old town were wading through to come out to the dry
patches. Women were sitting on the steps with small children. A lot of
displaced people were riding over buses. Many were living in trucks. Women were
holding hands, carrying small backpacks trying to get out of the water. Only
SUVs and buses were plying and that too with great difficulty. We saw people
making log rafts to sail into their homes and bring out some supplies and this
distance was just a seconds walk in normal times. Water seemed to have taken
over paradise.
Luckily the weather was clear. There was no more rain but
who knows how long the supplies would last or how much time it would take for the
waters to recede. There was an angry mob throwing muddy water on the cars. We
did not see any relief camps.
Reaching the airport, through the backyards of Srinagar,
winding roads and all, people laden on anything on wheels, it was nothing short
of a miracle that we reached the airport without mishap. And then we thanked
God and man alike for this grace and blessing.
Sabraz had another guest to pick up before he headed for the
safety of the hills. And we sat at the airport, eating our sandwiches and drinking
coffee. It was a sombre security staff which ushered us through at the fastest speed
possible.
Flight was delayed as search and rescue helicopters were flying
in at priority. But we were safe in Delhi at 6 o’ clock. And home by 8 o’clock,
our families, having watched the scenes at home and unable to connect with us, giving
all of us a hot cuppa.
Special request now that rains in the valley are not stopping:
Let us do out bit for Kashmir...
Celebrations everywhere.A request to all my friends and acquaintances, let all the get-togethers be kind of Fund Raisers as well for the Flood Victims Of Kashmir. Let's be generous and do our bit for the people in need. All these donations will be used to get some light and hope in the lives of people who are in dark, deep dark. Thanks.
For any info plz contact -MALEHA -+91 8130472213
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