Survived and back ... To the real Heroes !! It was drizzling when we landed in Srinagar on 5th Sep., the sun was missing but the place seemed beautiful as ever. We were excited to salute & show our respect to the Lions of our borders at Kargil the very next day but perhaps destiny had something else planned for us. It rained heavily and the road to Kargil was blocked and we had to extend our stay at beautiful Dal lake but we were hopeful that we will get our way next day. Jhelum could not handle so much of water, and by the morning of 7th Sep, Srinagar was under water. People got not more than 2-3 hours at night to save themselves before the water started flowing over their houses. Two floor buildings were under water and the ones with three floors didnt have much time left either. So now Kargil was not in mind and only question was finding a safe place and we somehow managed to get a room at a dry place but not all people were that lucky. The Electricity was cut down, networks were not reachable, roads were under water and within few hours Srinagar was disconnected from the rest of the country. Panicked people were all around seeking help but we could not find no government on rescue. The remaining food was not enough to feed the whole city for even a day. Only route by which this place could be reached was by air and we did see some Choppers roaming around and disspearing. By this time no rescue operation was started by government, no food was provided and shelter was not a question at that situation. When your family, friends are in trouble you dont wait for a useless State government to act, thats what the local people did. They took their boats and started evacuating whomsoever they could find. We were least expecting help from local people when they themselves were required it but surprisingly they came to our rescue. We were provided Shelter, food etc. at a time when their family was missing in worst effected areas by the flood. We were provided food by locals when they themselves didnt have enough to eat, they risked their life to cross the water and bring whatever eatables they could to feed us.They provided whatever stock of food was left at their home and soon Mosques started working as Rescue Camps, serving and feeding everyone.I met with tourists who were rescued and didnt have anything left, they were offered clothes by local shopkeepers without a single penny. How often do we see a stranger giving you 2000 bucks, well local people helped strangers by giving money as well. Soon, Army started rescuing people at worst affected areas, CRPF & BSF were in action as well but we did not see J&K police or state government in action. Choppers started evacuating people to safe places under J&K police command but for two days they didnt rescue anyone but VIP & VVIP before BSF came in action. People were waiting in queue for days, foodless, Shelterless, helpless and Worst condition was for Children, Senior Citizens and patients. We were sleeping under the sky when CRPF helped us, they provided us shelter in their trucks, food and their own blankets to fight the cold. After spending 3 days and 2 nights waiting in queue for Choppers, we gave up and somehow managed to reach the same hotel and we were again provided shelter by those amazing people. When the state government was totally failed, local people again helped to open a road towards airport. They were helping everyone to cross and were always there. After a week of struggle, we walked almost 13 KM and reached a place from where roads were open and finally reached Srinagar Airport and than Delhi. Whatever shit news channels may be showing, people of Srinagar were amazing and showed true meaning of humanity. If we have reached alive its because of the efforts of People of Srinagar, Indian Army, CRPF and BSF. I hope State government will wake up and center will monitor the actions. A help of 1000 crores is not enough unless it is used for the cause and Central government need to understand this. Jindagi ko samajhne ke liye, maut se ek mulakat jaroori hai. Ill be back next year and my incomplete journey will complete. My Prayers for the people of Srinagar.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:38:05 +0000
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