"We Are Khaki And Ready To Help": In Rain-Battered Himachal, Women Lead The Way

The policewomen were battling not only nature's fury but also communication breakdowns and the reluctance of some people to leave their houses.

As incessant rain battered Himachal Pradesh over the past few days, causing floods and landslides and leaving many people stranded, young women serving in the police force led from the front. 

Battling not only nature's fury but also communication breakdowns and the reluctance of some people to leave their houses, the women set an example of how to triumph in very trying circumstances. Their feats have ensured that they have taken social media by storm and, more importantly, earned the respect of many in the communities they serve. 

Mandi Superintendent of Police Soumya Sambasivan recalls how difficult it was to make people understand that they had to leave their homes and belongings. "We had two hours to evacuate people. I told them to take their certificates and valuables and leave, but it was very difficult to make them understand. The more educated they were, the more they argued."