A cloudburst on June 16, 2013, in the Uttarakhand state of northern India, resulted in devastating floods and landslides that obliterated numerous villages and towns. Thousands of people were carried away by the flood, and numerous bodies were never found. Ten years after the catastrophe, Ram Karan Beniwal, who was in one of the worst-affected areas—the temple town of Kedarnath—recalls the day the floods tore his family apart.
On June 9, 2013, my wife and I, along with two of my brothers' wives, and another relative, left Jodhpur, Rajasthan, for Kedarnath. My kids decided not to join us because they were too busy with school and work.
I had already been to three of the four main Dhams (the four Hindu pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri) with my wife Chhota Devi. The only person left was Kedarnath.
On June 16, we arrived at the revered Kedarnath temple. We prayed there and then made our way to Rambara, a small village where pilgrims can rest. As we traveled there, it began to pour heavily. We decided to spend the night in Rambara when we arrived there at 17:00 local time (11:30 GMT).
Go here by clicking. to hear Ram Karan Beniwal recount his tale.
We were chanting the name of Lord Ram late at night while seated by the Alaknanda river (in the foothills of the Himalayas). Suddenly, I heard loud noises coming from the nearby rocks and river.
The mountain seemed to start to tremble. We were unable to see clearly because it was so dark. When massive boulders began to fall, they swept people into the raging river.
My wife and one of my in-laws were being swept away, then my older brother. My other relatives were hidden from view. In order to protect myself from the oncoming rock avalanche, I ran and stopped in front of a sizable boulder.
In contrast to the rocky and arid hills, the hills with big trees on them didn't crumble as quickly. I hurried up one of these hills and clung to a tree branch. I watched from a distance as a whole mountain fell into the river in front of me.
My mind started to numb at that point. I struggled to comprehend what I had just seen. I was wearing wet clothes, and it was bitterly cold. Around me, there were other people who were also clinging to trees. Nobody, however, said a word. Everybody was gloomy and lonely. While holding onto the tree, I dislocated my shoulder, but I was able to straighten it out again. Even now, it hurts.
I stayed perched on the tree for the following four days as the flooding and landslides persisted. Around me, I witnessed people who had gathered under trees pass away from starvation, dehydration, and the cold. The mobile towers had all been washed away. With the outside world, there was no communication. I had it in my head that there was no way I was going to make it. Only God could now aid me.
On June 20, a rescue helicopter showed up. Depending on weather conditions, the crew would rescue five people at a time. I was transported by helicopter to Guptkashi, a town close to Kedarnath, from which I transferred to Dehradun, the state capital of Uttarakhand. I was given a hospital bed there.
After staying dry for days without food or water, I was extremely weak. My skin was deteriorated and shedding. My daughter was the last person I was able to reach, and when I told her that I was the only one left, she hung up the phone. My brother-in-law and nephew arrived in Dehradun to pick me up a day later.
The void that a mother leaves cannot be filled, but my kids were happy that at least I was back home. My wife's body was never discovered, nor were the others'.
At first, my kids believed their mother might have somehow survived and were in denial. They were still holding out hope that she would one day come back. But I was certain of what I had seen, and my kids gradually accepted reality as well.
I reflect on the devastation, loss of life, and damage that occurred ten years ago. So many pilgrims, tourists, and locals perished. I still recall the nearly 5,000 cars parked in the Gaurikund parking lot, which served as the starting point for the journey to the Kedarnath shrine, including our own vehicle, which contained all of our belongings. We suffered a total loss.
God's will and a natural disaster caused it. I picture it as a train ride where passengers converse throughout the trip but must disembark when the station is reached. Perhaps Kedarnath served as my wife's last station.
Now, in order to divert myself, I meditate and chant the name of God. I would most definitely visit Kedarnath once more if you were to ask me. Living in fear is pointless, and there is no need for fear right now. Actually, I would bring my kids there as well.
given to Devang Shah.
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