Jammu and Kashmir floods: The Great ‘Kashmir’ Escape

Bengaluru: “It was the great 'Kashmir' escape that will play on in their minds for the rest of their lives. Among the first few Kannadigas, who safely returned home from the flood mayhem in the Kashmir valley that has already claimed over 150 lives, this group of eight people have an unforgettable tale to tell. Their five-day ordeal, and tale of survival when the world around them was falling apart, is nothing short of a miracle. 

 

The group, four couples, all aged above 50 years have to thank Lady Luck for coming through the ordeal.  Three couples, K.S. Gururaj and his wife Nalini Gururaj; Dr. S.N. Mothi and his wife Nalini Mothi; Gururaj's sister Sujatha and her husband D.S.

 

Ramachandra were from Mysore and the fourth, Nagaraj and his wife Vasatha are  from Bengaluru. They left for Srinagar from Bengaluru on a morning flight on September 3 and reached Srinagar by 1 pm. By then, the monsoon in Kashmir was already in full flow.

 

Sharing their experience in the valley and incredible journey back home with the Deccan Chronicle is 61-year-old Mr. Gururaj, Mysore-based businessman and social worker running an NGO that helps HIV positive patients.

 

“We wouldn't have made it without the help of few remarkable individuals with great heart, who for us, from now on are like God.  We thank dhaba owner Ashik, who prepared tea and food for us even though his hotel was caving in due to a landslide. Our driver Saukhat Mohmmed for staying by our side, with us, from the beginning to end and dropping us at the airport safely, putting us above his own family, stranded in Srinagar.

 

An old man for showing a safe route to Srinagar airport when we were stranded in flooded waters and our vehicle was losing its way. 

 

“We will remember these three great human beings for the rest of our lives.

 

A cup of tea was life saving in those extreme conditions. I tried to give him Rs 1,000 for his help, but the humble dhaba owner just took nominal amount and wished us safe return. Words are not enough for the courage and moral support our vehicle driver Saukhat gave us at that critical hour. We were left stranded in 8 ft flood waters just 3 km from Srinagar airport on September 7 morning. 

 

Our return flight was at 7.30 am and we thought would miss the flight. From nowhere, an old man walked towards us and showed an alternative route which nobody knew about. For us, he looked like Raghavendra Swamy to whom we offer prayers. We reached Srinagar airport by 7 pm and luckily the flight was delayed by 90 minutes.

 

Having been at the receiving end of the generosity of Kashmiris who helped us over and over at all the key junctures, I wanted to return the favour. And when we reached Srinagar airport, we found a lady with an infant crying for help. Her husband and parents were stranded at their residence in Srinagar and she didn't even have a mobile to contact them. 

 

I gave her my mobile and she spoke with her family for a minute before the call got disconnected as entire communication network in Srinagar broke down. She was a  doctor, based in London and her husband was also a doctor in London. They came to Srinagar to visit her parents. I left my number with her and she called me on Monday evening saying her family was airlifted by Indian army. It was very satisfying having been through a lot of struggle ourselves"

 

— Mr. Gururaj, Mysore-based businessman