Bilal A Jan’s documentary “Kashmir Flood –– Help The Vale Rise” highlights the social aspects of the tragedy

Saddled by conflict, Kashmir came under severe strain when it was flooded September last year, worsening the situation for its denizens. Still reeling under the after affects of the natural disaster –– worst in the last 100 years –– the people are yet to fully come to terms with the loss of life, property and infrastructure and more importantly its psychological impact.
In a recently released 20-minute film Kashmir Flood –– Help The Vale Rise, Bilal A Jan documents the trials, travails and tribulations of the populace. “Being one of the victims, my family and I underwent this incredible life threatening experience. This coupled with the suffering of others I witnessed motivated me make this film and help the outside world take note of the catastrophe and its magnitude,” he explains. When Srinagar-based Care Kashmir International, a health and advocacy group, asked him to make a short film about post-flood situation to spread the message that Kashmir needs help, he immediately agreed.
Lasting for more than 20 days the floods affected nearly 80 per cent of the State with the victims cutting across age, social and economic groupings. In Mander Bagh out of 500 houses, 37 were totally destroyed with residents like Dilshada having to borrow even beddings from their neighbours. Comparing it to doomsday, Mukhtar Ahmad, a businessman says: “With the embankment giving way, my first floor was flooded in less than five minutes forcing us to move to the top floor.” The Rajbagh area lost many of its historic, monumental, archival and ornamental dwellings.
The inundation of hospitals made the situation for patients difficult while making it exacting for doctors as communication and electricity supply were cut off and medical equipments and machinery, medicines, food stuff, etc rendered them unfit. Recalls Dr. Iram Ali, Registrar of G.P. Pant Hospital in the film: “We quickly evacuated the injured and due to floods the mortality increased.” Dr. Adil Ashraf, Registrar, SMHS Hospital remembers losing a diabetic patient among the 13, who died.
Several educational institutions lost books, furniture and laboratory equipment rendering them unusable. Gulzar Ahmad points to chairs stuck to the ceiling of the library and chemistry lab in shambles. The film cuts to Aaqib, a IIIrd standard student, who in a choked voice says, “Out of my 11 books only four are left and I study only those.” Worse of the lot are inmates of children’s shelter homes on whom the floods have left an indelible psychological impact. Dr. Mushataq A Margaab, expert in disaster psychiatry, says they need emotional support besides material. “Treating them as miniature adults is cruel, almost criminal. Shifting them to a new place and saying this is yours does not help.”
Post-calamity people are getting back to normal life but are saddened by the relief provided by the authorities. The director feels that considering the magnitude of the damage the initial response and the subsequent relief do not match the requirements. Holding a cheque for Rs.3800, Abdul Rahman in the film laments: “What will I do? Repair my house or buy essentials with this amount.”
Giving full marks to the Kashmiris, Bilal observes: “Suffering incessantly in the ongoing conflict has made them resilient and adaptable enabling them to cope with the tragedy.” The film has evoked sympathy and empathy. “In all screenings I have found many viewers with moist eyes.”