Tag: uttarakhand
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Starting the rehabilitation work in UK
On 29 Dec I have left the relative comfort of Rishikesh to document the relief work of Mata Amritananda Math in the Kedar Valley of the Himalayas. The area was devastated by flooding in June of 2013 (All News). Amma immediately sent a medical van from Kerala and now is beginning construction of 500 houses in the region plus other long term support for education and vocational training. The hills here are not solid rock and in a good year, parts will slide from the hillsides into the river below. This year, the damage was massive. As we turned north…
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Ayi Giri Nandini, Guide us
Uttarakhand Flood Relief Chandrapuri Chandrapuri is one of the worst affected areas. It is cut off from either side, and the raging river is threatening the existence of whatever is remaining there. Numerous people who have lost their home are sleeping in tents. The only to reach the once bustling town is by using a makeshift trolley from across the river. The doctors and the medicines were carried across using the trolley – basically just a wire across the river with a basket hanging from it. Over 500 persons were given medical aid and counseling in Chadrapuri. Giri Nandini, Guide…
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To Toshi – the final village
Uttarakhand Flood Relief Having spent one day at Triyuginarayan, it was time for the difficult trek to Toshi – the last inhabited village on this stretch. Climbing through steep mountains for 5 kilometers – we reached the beautiful village. It was a village where the people do not sleep in their own houses anymore. Just the night before, a huge landslide had taken away a couple of houses with it. All the families of the village had been sleeping in and around the Chandi devi temple located above the village. The people were so happy to see us there –…
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Triyuginarayan
Utttarakhand Flood relief The road to Gaurikund was completely gone for many kilometers – and since the medical team from the Army had already reached there somehow, we moved towards Triyuginarayan. Triyuginarayan is home to a beautiful ancient temple (built in the Treta Yuga) where, according to the Puranas, Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi’s marriage took place. The fire from that time has been kept continuously lit by the local priests here. Having very close connection with the Kedarnath temple – the families depended on the Char dham yatra for sustenance – so most of them were in Kedarnath on…
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Sonprayag – the ghost town
Uttarakhand Flood Relief After waiting for the roads to open to Sonprayag for one day, it was decided that we would just try to move ahead somehow, inspite of the inclement weather and inaccessibility. When we made known our plans, almost everyone around recommended against it. We prayed to Amma and decided to at least try our best to move ahead. And as always, Amma’s Grace flowed – as soon as we were ready, the skies opened up magically! The sun started shining brightly – and the locals could not believe it. We set out from Guptakashi to reach as…
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Medical Camp at Lombgaon and Tvara
Medical Camp at Lombgaon and Tvara – 11th July, 2013 As soon as we heard that the people of Twara are falling prey to dysentery in the village of Twara – we rushed over immediately – as this trend usually indicates an impending epidemic. 300 patients were treated at two medical camps on the 11th of July – by the team of two doctors – Dr Gopi and Dr Anuj Rana. The team has been requested to try and move towards Ukhimath area – where medical aid has not reached till today. – Mukesh
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Survey of nearby villages
Uttarakhand Flood Relief 10th July, 2013 Kalimath is the most heavily affected area around. Even today, one house slided down into the river across us before our eyes. We are going into the villages soon. A village Devli – comprising of 57 families – out of which 54 lost at least one member – invariably the bread earning young member – during the floods. There is no male survivor in the age group of 15 to 30 in this village One of the persons described how he stood on the Nandis statue at Kedarnath the entire night, with water reaching…
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Camp at SiddhaSaur
Uttarakhand Flood Relief 9th July, 2013 It was raining heavily on the night of the 7th of July – the water level of the Mandakin river was rising alarmingly. We were stationed just a few feet from the raging river – even though a flood and cloud burst alert had been sounded. We tried to move towards Guptakashi but due to heavy rain the road had been washed out for a couple of hundred metres , and there was no way our Ambulance and telemedicine unit could cross that stretch. We carried all the medicine boxes on foot to the…
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Moving on to Guptakashi
Uttarakhand Flood Relief 9th July, 2013 The road to Guptakashi was in complete disarray after the rains. The main highway along the Mandakini river has been washed away, and vehicles have to take this only available alternatine route – the rains left the road full of slush – the vehicle was literally swimming in the slush all the way to Guptkashi. Truly a time to chant our mantras. At one place the mountains side broke off and huge boulders came crashing on to the road just as we were approaching it. We decided to try and move the rocks so…