The Hindu : National : It is snow that worries quake victims now

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Sunday, Dec 04, 2005

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National

It is snow that worries quake victims now

Special Correspondent

Displaced villagers see difficult days ahead but feel that they are safe in the tents

DRANGYARI (TANGDHAR): It is snowfall that worries the residents of Rangwad village now. Living in a colony at Drangyari on the Kupwara-Tangdhar road after the October 8 earthquake and the aftershocks, the 436 villagers are leading a miserable life owing to snowfall.

"We cannot go back to our village and it will be difficult to fight the harsh winter," said Ghulam Nabi, who lives in a snow-covered tent with four of his family. His wife said: "It will be very difficult during the winter in these tents but we feel safe as there is no danger of the earth slipping under our feet."

Houses flattened

The earthquake flattened 80 houses in Rangwad but all the 436 residents survived, some with injuries and broken limbs. The tents were provided by an international NGO, Action Aid.

"It is a miracle that we are safe," says Mohammed Akbar, a labourer. The entire population of Rangwad moved to Drangyari two days after the quake braving lose soil and blocked roads. Rangwad is a five km trek from Drangyari, a valley surrounded by snow-tipped mountains and lashed by wintery winds.

"We are starting afresh"

"We are starting afresh. There is nothing to fall back upon," said Shameema, a housewife. Her nine-year-old son Bashir is struggling to keep warm with the pheran, a traditional Kashmiri robe used in winters. "It is very cold during the nights but it is fun during the day," said Imrosa Jan, a girl in the fifth standard.

The only village school is yet to function as a tin shed is being prepared for the students.

"We used to feel scared in the village but now we are happy we have moved out of that place," says Jan as she collects water from a small stream.

Initially the Army provided 20 tents and the London based Action Aid stepped in later.

The group provided a tent each to every family and also gave them heaters, clothes and ration. "They are very good people. They have said they will remain with us for four months," says Javed Khan, a student. He said the voluntary organisation initially provided each family with 25 kg of rice, 10 kg of flour, two kg of cooking oil and two small heaters. "Now they have started giving us big heaters too," Khan said.

"We want our village to be relocated somewhere. This place is most ideal for us. It is right on the major road," says Abdul Hamid. "There is not a single person who wants to go back. If we are forced to return we will live under constant fear." Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir B. B. Vyas said the Government was aware of the problems of the villagers.

"We are planning to re-locate nearly half a dozen villages, and in some cases, a beginning has been made. However, we are facing shortage of proper land where government land is not available," he said.

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