Srinagar, Sep 4, KNT: With parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas under the grip of a fresh flood scare, people were seen moving their vehicles to higher and safer locations to protect them from possible submergence.
Eyewitnesses said hundreds of cars, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles were parked on flyovers, elevated grounds and along the Jhelum flood channel bunds as precautionary measures. The unusual sight created long rows of parked vehicles across several locations, with people unwilling to take any chances given the bitter experience of the 2014 floods.
In the devastating deluge of 2014, thousands of vehicles were submerged, leaving most of them damaged beyond repair. Even those salvaged later were viewed with suspicion by buyers, who were reluctant to purchase flood-hit vehicles. Drivers said those memories were still fresh and had prompted them to act in advance this time.
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“Back in 2014, we lost not only our homes but also our vehicles. This time we know better. As soon as the water levels rose, we parked our cars on higher ground. It may be inconvenient, but it is far better than watching them drown,” said a local from Jawahar Nagar to the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Officials confirmed that while several areas including Taingan, Sumerbugh and Shalina were inundated due to a breach in the Jhelum, large parts of Srinagar remained safe. Still, the precautionary shifting of vehicles was seen as a sign of lingering public fear and the lessons learned from the past.
The administration has urged people to remain calm but vigilant as the water level in the Jhelum has shown a gradual decline. [KNT]
