A Sub-Inspector, who saved several lives, never witnessed such a heavy rain in his lifespan that devastated Kedar Valley within few minutes. He narrated the series of incidents he witnessed during disastrous night. He claimed that Gauri Kund Police outpost is safe.
Sub-Inspector Hemendra Singh Rawat, who was on duty in Gauri Kund as in-charge of the police outpost there, realised, at around 4 pm on June 16 evening that the downpour might cause heavy damage to the area. Sensing it, he alerted his seniors and went on evacuating the people were staying in the hotels at Gauri Kund.
Rains turned furious by the evening and around 8.30 pm water in the river suddenly increased. By then, he claimed that he sent several people to safer locations and asked others to leave the hotels for the safer places.
After water surged, several people cried for help. He claimed that with the help of Nepali workers, he constructed a temporary bridge and rescued more than 1,000 people from a location near Sonprayag. He also claimed that he rescued around 35 mule owners from a location, around 200 meters off the Ghora Parking in Guari Kund.
He said that several people responded positively to his alerts and left. There were several people, who were not ready to leave their rooms in hotels and ashrams in the area. The cop convinced them to leave the locations, apprising them of the fact that the rain might wreak havoc.
He said that rain washed the bridge near Gauri Kund. The bridge was only means to connect the villages in the vicinity of Gauri Kund. He recounted that he along with his team resorted to battery operated public address system to alert the people there. “After we announced the alert, several people reached Gauri Gaon where they took shelter till they were rescued,” he claimed.
He recalled that despite several requests, Swami Ji of Bharat Sewa Ashram didn’t left the ashram, telling that he had to offer the prayers. Moreover, rains intensity increased during night and in the morning the flash flood devastated the region, washing away the Ashram.
He said that a cop submerged till neck in the sludge when he tried to save the people from near Kali Kamli. He said that he along with his team members asked the people to reach Gauri Gaon that is located in upper reach and considered safe. He said that he along with his team saved several hundred people.
“I never witnessed such a massive and sort flood ever in my life. In the evening, water level suddenly surged. It decreased next day,” he said, adding that the disaster ravaged the area and washed away whatsoever came on its way. It continued it’s fury till June 17 noon. He claimed that facing all odds, he saved several lives. With tears in eyes, he expressed sorrow for the people, whom flash flood wash away. The bitter scenes haunt him. “The catastrophe gave deep wounds to the Valley,” he said.