Disaster Tourism ( Part--4}

The relief boat was meandering in the vast expanse of flood water giving panoramic view of devastation & disaster . At one place , which I vividly remember , boat was kept standstill in a low lying hinter land perhaps a tola by the side of a rivulet , the  body of bloated livestock , log of wood ,thatched roof, floating vessels of poor household ,rather whole lot of devastated panoply were going in one direction with speed in swirling current . The boatman was taking the name of the village & its low lying contour of surrounding area .

Like victims of flood

Like forlorn woman with brood

 

 

 

At lot of places due to topographical undulation, eddy currents were formed which was really dangerous .The boat was moving in the low lying area & at one place confronted a hamlet where vast sheet of water was flowing & a lone sturdy tree was standing . Nothing unusual, but going near the passing distance of tree unusual sight greeted us. The bunch of human beings clinging its robust branches like fruits but all looking very grotesque, This very scene is etched in my memory . Able bodied persons clinging to robust branches were fighting for their life on every inhaling & exhaling breath  The long serpents & snakes were moving listlessly encircling the tree ,of course to find the shelter to live .There was discussion among the relief party , if a person drops down in swirling floodwater due to hunger & fatigue ,he is sure die . The relief party moved from there with a heavy heart , simply watching with a numb feeling ,the dance of fury of flood .



Just nearby when we were moving in the boat , two brave hearts were sitting over their shanties ,perhaps no where to go & lo & behold !the roof of the shanty caved in by the pressure mounted on mud wall  The young fellows surely knowing to swim, but unable to surmount the current of flood water . They passed near the boat with dilated eyes in swirling flood which was carrying debris of various types stamping the signature of devastation .

The boat man was of Kosy area , so he was knowing in & out of the fury of flood & the contour of the area . Papa requested him to take the boat where river Kosy & river Balan has met & caused this unprecedented fury of flood. As Sahab was requesting , after much thought they agreed to take the boat to fringe position cautioning lot of whirlpools( Bhanwar) developing due to meeting cross currents of rivers . It was mammoth  unending sea of water where gyrating swirling currents of a colossal genii ,some big some small appearing due to undulation in topographical mass of land . 

Whirlpool

 

The boatman cajoled Papa to move to safer zone . The relief party had its singular beating retreat in setting & debilitated sun rays ,all tired & exhausted .