(Damaged Maitra Ramban Road)
Jammu division has witnessed heavy rainfall in the month of August and unfortunately this monsoon season has created havoc and fury in some districts of Jammu. Already we saw the mayhem and destruction in Kishtwar district's chasoti village where cloudburst killed so many devotees and some reports say that many pligrims are still missing. Now recently Jammu receives heavy rainfall from the last 3-4 days and rivers like Tawi, Jhelum, Chinab were flowing above danger level. This flood situation has destructed many buildings, bridges and roads. What started out as a spell of incessant heavy rain became a disaster of extreme consequence, affecting each and every aspect of life. The rains came in earnest and the outcomes have clearly not been positive. Roads, bridges, electricity grids, water supply lines, schools learning and most importantly human lives have suffered due to the natural disaster. The disaster has now left a total devastation with no hope, as many large parts of Jammu and surrounding areas are experiencing flood-like conditions.
The great Tawi River, running through Jammu and Udhampur, has consistently reached dangerous heights above the flood threat mark. People living around the river have been unable to sleep at night. Water levels have only been rising, and in a panic many people are moving out of their surroundings for safety. People living near the river, especially low lying areas are worrying daily about floods, their families and friends' safety, and this situation evokes memories of previous floods. Family, for many, are evoking beings impacted from past floods, and these memories make it feel more like a bad dream for many.
(Few Glimpses of flooded government offices)
(Parking area of Jammu Railway station)
In addition, many of the bridges linking Jammu to other parts of the country were severely impacted due to the swift movement of water. These weren't just links, but life lines, whether it was commuters, traders, or daily wage labourers who relied on travel free from any obstacles as means of survival. As there are currently no bridges in use, movement is almost impossible, bringing travel to a stand still in many areas with on the spot complications for those who were already in transit. One of the most affected bridges was the fourth Tawi bridge, a few hundred yards from Bhagwati Nagar, which sustained through the bridge's surface significantly due to the force and strength of the current. No vehicles were on this bridge, and it fell, leaving the lives of many spared. This incident, as previous events of natural disasters, expose the susceptibility of our infrastructure and its vulnerabilities.
The city of Jammu has been left panting for relief. Virtually every major road and street in the city is under water, and pandemonium currently reigns over residents and travelers alike. Water logging has made any mobility from one part of the city to another nearly impossible, and many vehicles have drowned in the flood. Daily life in Jammu city is disrupted with markets, offices, and businesses closed or barely opened. Commuters relying on buses, autos or two wheelers are almost stranded because city streets are now streams and even short distance trips can be kazoo keepers.
Due to the severe situation, the administration decided to shut down schools, colleges and universities in Jammu and Kashmir. A necessary prevention in light of conditions while travelling is severely hazardous for children, teachers and staff. Parents and guardians worried rounds the clock worries about their child’s safety, but they can chip away at times like these and have some piece of mind knowing that the students are not put at risk while travelling in the unsafe travelling conditions. Although the cancellation and closure of the educational institution may interrupt an academic calendar for days, nothing is important in times like this but human life!
Jammuities are facing bad consequences of this heavy rainfall and flood like situation as the continuous heavy rainfall have destroyed key power stations, grid stations and main feeders and we are seeing electricity crisis now. There is blackout in many districts and there is shortage of drinking water as well in many towns and villages The misery of citizens was compounded with loss of electricity to waterlogging and blocked roads. In many cases, the situation was so precarious that communication was also totally compromised leaving citizens unable to communicate with family or friends. This disruption was particularly devastating for those individuals who were in need of immediate, and timely medical care or supplies that were extremely difficult, even impossible, for all people to find; with people saying they were lighting their lamps and candles in a city of Jammu in the 21st century!
Across the anxiety of this period we also saw many acts of celebrated human decency and courage. The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), police service, local administration and brave local citizens worked altogether to rescue people in the most affected areas where people were either confined in their homes (and apartments, flats) and/or isolated by the flood waters. Neighbors took their neighbors and families to safety. Locally residents initiated movements to padlock neighbourhoods and personal properties to cement barricades against flooding.
After the terrible tragedy of losing human life occurred near Adhkuwari Gupta where 34 people, all devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi, were swept away in flash floods and landslides due to continuous and traumas of rain, we received the sad news that the mourners, devotees will not return to worship in both the holy site and place of tragic loss of life (rain). The people lost in prayer, the devotees that might have nothing other than hope, searching for blessings and healing went from being seekers in prayer to a victim of unfortunate weather. We also know that the losses will cast a long shadow of sadness not just over the family members but our whole region. In times like this, faith provides the people of Jammu and Kashmir an opportunity to come together and collectively hold hope. Across Jammu the candles and diyas are being lit in temples and homes while prayers for safety rise above the sound of the rains and floods outside; it is as if the voices of the people are trying to protect the land from anything more than the destruction that has already taken place.
However, the administration is providing relief and compensation to all the victims who has lost their lives in floods. Those who are injured are also being provided best of treatment in hospitals and compensation is given to them. Volunteers are doing yoemans' service and are putting their heart and soul in evacuating those who are struck under rubble and debris. Many of them are risking their lives. Volunteers continue to provide food, water, and essential needs for displaced families. Civil society groups, community groups, and non-governmental organizations are also and excellent source of assistance, filling in the gaps left by the formal administration.
the disaster has cost them. That said, there is much that we, as individuals, organizations and authorities, can do to help, before and after the every inevitable flooding disaster, in reducing the suffering that floods cause. But before going on, I want to ask: how many people have had even a passing thought to report and recommend to the authorities what they think will Providing the flood advice at the outset might save people's lives and the misery that floods inevitably produce. Every single person has some expertise, some will be skills, some will be experience, ideas worth making recommendations for. Just how am I, a community educator, a social researcher, going to sound out the impact of floods on communities in Jammu & Kashmir for the future? If we do not have a plan of community disaster planning, like project to tackle prepare people for disasters in all its forms that they know about; floods, earthquakes, avalanches, so it will make sure people start to think about even a hint of preparation in their lives. Every person should reports on this whether they are; a community educator (volunteer, paid worker or as a researcher), an organization or authority. Let's make some as individual, group reports and recommendations to the authorities.
As the skies may slowly return to normal, the trauma of recent days is etched on the faces of the people of Jammu. What was once hope, now rain ranges from welcomed and cheerful, to almost being dreaded. However, there is defiance alongside the loss. Jammu may have disasters, and when the calamity happens, the people emerge from the rubble as determined and resilient beings. Just like in past calamities, it seems residents of Jammu collectively believe it will re-build, people and families will heal, and life for everyone will return to normal. Faith, togetherness and defiance will once again be the spirit of Jammu in the aftermath of a calamity. The rain was a test of endurance, a test of strength, but it also reminded us of peoplehood, and shows just how strong we are as a community during a crisis. While we mourn, bury the deceased, pray and hope for those still struggling, we know this: the strength of the people of Jammu, united in spirit and faith, will triumph over this calamity and we will only grow even stronger as we move forward.
(Vivek Koul)
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