Crisis doesn't create character, it reveals it.

All of you know our love of mountains! So this time taking advantage of a short weekend break and trying to inhale as much mountain air we can, we decided to go (like always) to the hills along with our 12 year old dog (Princess Leaia). We went to a small nook at the bottom of the hills of Uttarakhand, a place called Jim Corbett known for its wild life and tigers (specially them)! Crystal clear sky and air and add to it some treks and jungle safari.

The adventure was yet to begin! Get ready for a little long read but I promise it will be worth its while and hope all of you will take away something by the end of it. Early morning, Oct 18th, we decided to leave and head back to our home in Gurgaon/Delhi. A very strange sequence of things started happening:

• We got late to start as the luggage did not come to us on time
• We generally pack frugal but this time I requested the hotel folks to pack some sandwiches and muffins
• I habitually dont carry cash but after few WFH's (Work from Hill) experiences decided to carry more than normal cash
• We put our small suitcase in the front and the dog decided to sit in my lap, while our daughter slouched on the backseat
• It never rains at this time, but then rain gods decided to pour and how!

By the time we reached down, it was pouring like never before and the river Kosi had started to swell up. Couple of cars went ahead in front of us but we decided to stop. The stop then extended to 7 hours with a line of ~5-7KM of cars behind us and river swelling up every passing second!

Here's where some coincidences, some providence and some calm and quick thinking helped. While some cars decided to stay put, we decided to turn back after our hotel confirmed that they will accommodate us. We somehow managed to turn back and came to a parking.

As we sat in the car parking waiting for the hotel 4x4 to pick us up, I saw a small tea shop helping stranded tourists with tea and Maggie. Remember those sandwiches we packed, they were all gone in the 7 hour wait, we are now at around 10PM on a pouring night and the Maggie looked very inviting.

The seating arrangement helped us to get out of the car, waddle though knee deep waters and get to the tea shop while we waited for the hotel vehicle to pick us up. And in 30 min, without any warning, the Kosi Dam was opened and the parking was now submerged under water. The car that is in the middle of the photograph is ours and we were sitting in it just 30 min earlier! Till this point it was our luck. Now next is when we see how we as group react to vulnerable conditions, how bold leadership comes into play and how humanity exists above all.

The next day, owners of ~20 cars (that were all under water) went to check the situation and the status of the car. The next step was now to take all the cars out from what had become a muddy slush. Here are few learnings and examples of how not to react:

1. One of the gentlemen had parked his cars in a way that it had blocked the way. He refused to come down to check how the crane was pulling his car. His steering and wheel both got locked and as a result, the car had to be picked up. His car had some dents as a result. He went on a screaming rage when he saw that, blaming everyone he could except himself for not being there. Everyone who was there trying to help moved away from him and didn't respond to any of his requests post the same
2. The small tea-vendor who helped all of us stranded folks with tea and Maggie continued his help in getting tow trucks, cranes etc so that every car is taken out safely from the waters. He ofcourse continued to provide snacks while we were at it.
3. We met one of the rare folks who knew what goes inside the cars. He helped each and every one on how to figure out the safety locks for almost all the cars. When in doubt let the experts handle.
4. Every car including the auto ones have safety locks to release steering, wheel and gear locks. It helps to tow the car without damaging it!
5. When you see water all around you in your car. Roll the windows down to a level thats comfortable. The water has two pressure currents: Water current and the air current on top. The air current passes through the windows and your car has lower chances of getting swept away in the raging river!
6. Stop the car and turn off the engine. It will ensure that water does not seep into your engine.
7. The cash we carried helped us to get immediate help and with whatever little we could help with, we helped the locals who went above and beyond to save our lives.
8. The small suitcase had everything we needed and for some reason the extra we packed helped us for the rest of the days.
9. Conserve energy. Eat and hydrate yourself. Hold Hands. Pack light.
10. Last but not the least, eat Maggie/Parle G and love it :)

We survived this ordeal to tell this tale. There were around 50+ folks who didn't. It was a gut wrenching site to see cars and people getting swept away and we said a little prayer thanking our luck, the people who helped us despite everything, the drive who's own house floated away came all the way to pick us up and that small tea chop vendor who ensured everyone was warm and fed.

PS: The photo in the headline became viral and the ultimate fame it received was getting covered in NYT! It was clicked by a friend of ours, who was trying to understand which car is ours and trying to evacuate us.