Kashmir Floods and the Separatists |
The Natural Calamity due to floods, the ever worst in more than 60 years, has once again subjected Kashmir valley located in the Himalayas’ of the country’s North part to a total devastation. People were taken by surprise & made Homeless; just like in 1990, when the Separatists made Kashmiri Hindus Homeless. In both these cases of Manmade and the Natural calamity, one can never forget the scary images. The Kashmiris had to face this twcice in their lifetimes. About 25 years back a brutal turmoil mangled lives and bodies in blood bath which was so worst that effected people were in a severe Trauma which broke their normal psychological limits that still continue with them and the Natural disaster of this year from Almighty.
Besides there is an urgent need once again as to balance the ecosystem, but also bring people closer & test the courage and unity of people to stand united whenever the need arises. The whole country was united on this issue, despite the fact, local administration was not ready and Alert, though the Metro department issued advance warning to them. It was September first week, mid night floods struck the houses; people took shelter in the attics, third floor, some left home and were running in chaos for the safe places at high altitudes. It was barely a year before that another Indian state Uttrakhund was devastated by floods, there too the rainfall was unexpected and extremely high, killed more than 5000 people, many more still missing the human tragedy was enormous than that of Kashmir. In both the cases both states Governments ignored the warning issued from the Weather department. The reason behind both these Tragedies’ is increased urbanization, disturbed ecosystem and troubled monsoons. We cannot control a natural disaster but we can limit the excessive damage by paying attention to the warning signs. The best example is from last year that of Orissa state, which took advance precautions and ensured minimum damage to life & property. The victims of flood in the valley, their relatives and friends outside the valley were all worried as everyone was hungry for the smallest scrap of information from their kith & kin’s. Those people who were caught and trapped in the floods were battling between life & death. Even the man-to-man communication was utterly dead and impossible. In valley, the breakdown of Telecommunication system was most affected and people were cut off & virtually disconnected from each other and rest of the World. Great calamities bring scary scenes that one will never forget, despite the fact that Valley had enough share of deaths, destruction and turmoil’ even before. Army, IAF & NDRF have extensively been busy carrying out the rescue operations in the affected areas. They were updating the latest happenings & location Status position of the rescued persons with their photographs even on Social media like Face book, Twitter, whats App etc. More than two lakh people were rescued. IAF deployed world’s biggest chopper, MI-26.and about 30,000 Indian Army troops for rescue purposes. Right after & during the rescue operation ,water bottles, packed food & medicines were distributed among the victums, round about 20 relief camps were set up and immediately about 30% water supply was restored by the Army. In a big scale, Army restored the communication, like set up of wireless Topo, and back up Gen sets. In an extra ordinary dedication, they built new bridges on two big rivers within 24 hours of Time. Many other States came for rescue operations and extended their Help to the Victims.PM announced Hundred Corers Assistance to the State. Central Government used Google services to Track the missing people. Many NGO’S volunteers came forward to extend physical help and assistance to Army and NDRS personals during rescue operations., besides their monetary help too. Nevertheless, unfortunately, the utmost attention was paid in the city alone and many more villages that were equally affected were neglected. Many School & Training Teachers rescued Students who were trapped in the Hostels by shifting them to Higher Platform, and were latter helped by CRPF personals that facilitated a bridge for them to climb. Besides the Army Hospital. It is learnt that only one Ahmad Hospital was operational, which was one of the only functional Hospital working round the clock and treating the patients. In addition to this a large teams of Doctors from rest of the country were flown over night to treat the patients. But unfortunately everything is political in Kashmir, may be Politician’s or Separatists make advantage of the opportunity at such occasions. Much more of media, which is in habit of disinformation and wrong propaganda on Kashmir. Though knowing it well that Indian forces have saved the life of thousands of people, still asking people on mike” are you grateful to army now?. “They ask such type of insane questions”. |
Bushan Bhat Hali, Chairman Devasthan Pranandakh Samiti, Hall, Pulwama (Kashmir)
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