Six months back Jammu & Kashmir was devastated by one of the worst floods in 103 years. We launched an immediate relief and within few days, we were able to airlift tons of emergency relief material including medicines, dry ration, tents, tarpaulins and blankets to major flood affected areas in Jammu, Reasi, Kulgam, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Anantnag and Baramulla districts.
As Kashmir was slowly recovering and getting back to normalcy, flood again hit the valley last week. On Sunday, I received a panicked phone call from one of my team member from Srinagar, working on rehabilitation work for flood victims, he informed me about the ground situation and asked me to immediately join them.
I reached Srinagar next day and immediately visited Indian Air Force base to have a complete idea of the situation. Group Captain Yash Negi of Indian Air Force, who helped us a lot during last year floods, greeted me with a warm smile and told me that the plan is already ready and they are on hot standby. He explained me that it was unknown demon they fought with during last year floods and this time the demon is known.
During my stay of 3 days, I interacted with different agencies with which we are working along since last 6 months and it was so wonderful to see superb coordination among them this time.
People in Srinagar were little panicked but they were prepared. Youths were on the streets, coordinating and helping agencies to remove water. Army trucks with boats were standby at various locations. Fire brigade vehicles were busy in draining out water from flood affected area. NDRF and State Disaster Response Force teams were on standby to meet any eventuality.
During September floods, it was a failure of entire communication system and there was absence of immediate rescue plan. There was massive shortage of rescue boats and absolutely lack of coordination between civil agencies, paramilitary and forces with lack of unilateral command. Water drainage mechanics were not used for days.
However this time there is a robust communication system with effect based operation in place. Now civil authority knows which motor can drain how much water and they have already placed the same at strategic locations. Evacuation from low lying area was done within initial two days. Now there is effective warning system and more announcements are being made. There were hundreds of boats on standby and our Indian Air Force and Army were on hot standby.
As I write this, things are getting back to normal in Srinagar and all rivers are below danger mark right now. Ex Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is sharing beautiful pictures of tulips from Asia’s largest tulip garden at Sringar, where tulips are in full bloom.
We are continuing our relief efforts, but this time with silent prayers.
(Rahul Verma is founder of Uday Foundation, (@udayfoundation) a grassroots nonprofit organisation that believes in health with dignity. You can read his blog at www.rahulverma.org )
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