Why picnickers and tourists are drowning in Pahalgam !
Not to panic is the key to avoid disaster!
Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IPS)
Being a trekker and having some basic knowledge about the terrain around the river banks , I can safely construe the following causes
- The shelf created by the caving of the river bank on the sides of river flowing at speed in upper course .
- The lagooning of rocks in the afternoon when the water in the streams increases all of a sudden .
(when the temperature increases as the day progresses , the water load in the streams due to snowmelt increases in great volume in the afternoon . This brings a great rise in water coming down downstream making the parts river especially the rocks which one could easily access ; totally out of reach and thus stranding the venturing picnickers on big rocks which they take as refuge often in the centre of the river )
- People start panicking or often resort to acts of bravado , while trying to fathom the gushing stream .
Just because they can’t see the help in hand they resort to taking risk and with that a chain of events where everyone stranded starts choking with fear , start to take command and they start acting stupidly .
- The panicking makes some abled to cross , but they ignore the fact that the gushing river will in no time make the situation worse for others who want to follow him/her .
- As the river volume increases so does the panic attack and people start taking more risk thereby slipping to death .
The key things to avoid in such places where river is in its full energy is
- Avoid venturing on the rocks sitting in the river , especially in the afternoons .
- If you feel water rising in the space between rock where you are stuck and the bank , never panic , stay calm and don’t let your feet wet .
- Children and those who are not familiar with trekking and being surefooted must never take such adventures
- Take rope and if possible life jackets along if you really can’t resist venturing into upper course of river .
- A simple wait for help will be better than taking your own decision . Keep this thing in mind that those on the bank are in a better position to decide ..
Last but not the least I would like to stress that our rivers can become ruthless at will , so never get driven by their beauty while ignoring their strength and energy …
Ajazz!!!
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS)
