Two nights in car, no food

CHANDIGARH: Those who survived the ordeal came back with their faith in providence and humanity stronger than ever. The sight of people rushing to rescue perfect strangers made a deep impression on these survivors.
Sahil Sharma, a resident of Manimajra Housing Complex came home safe and sound on Wednesday. He shudders when he narrates his experience of the journey to Hemkund Sahib with friends."It was a nightmare. We had to live without food for two days as shops were closed due to the flood. We also spent two nights in the car as there was no accommodation available. It was horrifying to see rocks sliding down right in front of us".
He said survival would not have been possible had people not helped each other out. "People were frantically searching for group members who got separated. Many Army personnel helped stranded tourists. We also received help from a police station in Rudraprayag, which eventually helped us get out of the situation. We are back home, thanks to the help of God and man," he said.
Neelam Sharma, Sahil"s mother, was one of the people desperate for word from the flood ravaged area. "I would try to call him throughout the day but his phone was switched off. This would get me badly worried. I could not help fearing the worst," she said.
Khushwinder Singh, a resident of Sector 48, also went through an ordeal on what, he supposed, was a holiday in Uttarakhand.
The hotel he stayed in was washed away in the flood. "Strangers and Army men helped me. I stayed in makeshift tents with strangers who were very cooperative," he recalled. Khushwinder was eventually airlifted to Chandigarh.
Many city residents were lucky to come back a day before the calamity occurred. Happy Aulakh, a resident of Sector 34, was one of them. "I went to Badrinath with my friends. On June 15, when we were driving back home, it started to rain heavily but we didn"t lose hope and kept driving. We managed to reach Chandigarh safe and sound despite slippery roads."