Vijayawada: Residents of low-lying areas across Vijayawada continue to suffer, days after the rains abated and floodwater receded.
There are many reasons for their suffering. While some have nowhere to go after relief camps set up by the authorities were closed, others have to contend with the sludge left behind by the floodwaters, bad roads, power outages and a host of other civic issues.
Residents of Ranigari Thota, Tarakaramanagar, Balajinagar, Bhupesh Guptanagar, Krishnalanka, Rama Lingeswaranagar and other places in the Krishna basin are gradually returning to their homes, while some are still living on the roads in makeshift shelters and tents.
While the floodwater may have receded, the slush, created by the drain water and sewage makes it impossible for people to return. The water stagnated on the roads in many areas and also in many homes for over two days has turned into slush.
Nearly 150 people are still living in two relief camps set up in the city.
The VMC staff has started clearing the roads, clearing up clogged drains and also began spraying insecticide. Discom employees are working to restore power supply to the affected areas.
Residents say that the water reached the upper ridges of the riverbank. This resulted in hundreds of houses in low-lying areas being washed away. Many people, whose residences were inundated, are now ready to move to any other place the district or VMC authorities allocate them.
Vemula Lakshmi of Tarakaramanagar, located on the edge of Krishna riverbank, told this newspaper that the VMC authorities directed her to vacate the relief camp at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium. She said that she was forced to return home, only to find her dwelling completely damaged.
“This was the worst flood I have ever seen. If the government allocates some house, I will gladly shift,” Ms Lakshmi said.
Vemula Anjamma, a senior citizen, pointed to the damage to her home and then to the sludge accumulated on the floor, and said that the flood has not only damaged her house but also destroyed her confidence and peace of mind.
“I have lost all of my household articles as i was not able to shift them when it started flooding. I hope the government helps me,” she said.
Sontiyana Bujji said that when he returned home two days ago, his house was still half submerged. He said that the entire locality was still in the dark as electricity supply was still not restored. “The roads are still too slippery to even walk,” he said.
VMC assistant medical officer Dr K. Madhusudan Prasad said that the Corporation staff was cleaning the roads that are covered with sludge and sewage with the help of machinery. “About 150 personnel from the sanitation wing have been allotted for the task. We will continue spraying insecticide till Monday to avoiding spread of disease in the flood-affected areas,” Dr Prasad said.
