Sound of drum beats was becoming louder. Women had lined up to recite wanwun (Kashmiri folklore sung during marriages). Would-be bride Sameena Khan was battling giggles and trying hard to hide her emotions when a relative rushed in to inform that water level in the nearby river is rising alarmingly.
Jubilation turned into chaos as inmates ran helter skelter for safety. Sameena, who was to get married just a few days later, was immediately whisked away as water had overflown the embankment and started entering into their rooms in Nawab Bazar area of old city. Unable to comprehend the situation, the inmates were asked to vacate the house to escape the flood fury. From ornaments to bridal wear, the family left everywhere at home.
"Our rooms have caved in and walls collapsed. There are cracks all over the house. We had painted our house for the big occasion and now everything has gone down the drain," said Ghulam Nabi Khan, father of Sameena
For next week Sameena and her family put up at her relative's home crying and wailing. The would-be bride did not eat for days. Her physically disabled father, a victim of turmoil, could not hold back his tears seeing the plight of his only daughter.
Khan has been bed-ridden for 22 years after a splinter pierced through his brain during a grenade explosion at Nawab Bazar market. After dozens of surgeries, he was able to talk and limp on crutches. "We were all geared up for big occasion when floods wreaked havoc. My son was trapped in floods for three days. He and another boy risked their lives and saved gold ornaments other bridal things," said Shameema Khan, bride' s mother.
Farooq Ahmad had finalised all arrangements for marriage when floods smashed through his home at Iqbal Park. A shopkeeper by profession, he lost everything in the devastating floods. "We are unable to contact the family," said a relative.
Floods have not only devastated homes but crashed dreams of hundreds of couples who were scheduled to tie the nuptial knot this season. Hundreds of marriages have either been cancelled or postponed.
Kashmiri wazas (chefs) have suffered losses worth crores as all bookings have been cancelled. "Everyone has decided to go for austere marriages. Only kehwa (Kashmiri saffron tea) will now be served to people and groom that too during Nikah ceremony," said Ghulam Ahmad, a resident of old city.
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