Leh:
Once a well planned city, built on traditional principles, Leh today is just a gory reflection of it's past. Established centuries ago by the monks and its rulers, it was expanding fast, or so it appeared, until calamity struck.
The symbols of a rapidly expanding Leh, reduced to rubble in just few hours. But was the tragedy a man-made one?
All the structures were built along the course of abandoned water channels, channels that were once active. A fact ignored by those involved in construction and also those who chose to settle down in Leh.
"When I was 25, Leh had nothing," said Sange Dorjee, resident, Choglumsar .
Old historical structures called the
mane, built nearly 400 years ago, were intended to warn people to build houses only at a greater height. Religious text engraved on the stones piled on the walls were to ensure compliance.
"All the places where water could seep in,
mane walls were made to stop the water and the people made their houses only below the mane walls," said Norboo Martse, Ex Asst Editor, Cultural Academy, Leh.
The nine storey, 400 year old Leh palace that was intact even after the disaster, was built using the same principle. Clearly showing, that following the norm could have helped reduce the impact of the calamity.
" I will call this a manmade disaster; if laws of nature are followed then these floods would not have caused so much damage," added Norboo Martse
However, as it is said, life moves on. People start gathering the ruins and restarting again. But what is worthy a thought is that, will life be the same again or fear of another flood will haunt the minds of those who live here?
Though, there appears to be no practical solution to the problem, but may be, following the conventional can bring some relief. It is now entirely on the people of Leh to decide.