families-return-as-musi-river-water-recedes-in-hyderabad

Families in the affected areas of Chaderghat, Kishanbagh, and Narsingi began returning to their homes on Sunday as the water level in the Musi River slowly started to recede.

 

Several habitats along both banks of the Musi were inundated after authorities were forced to open the gates of the Himayatsagar and Osmansagar reservoirs. The decision followed a drastic increase in inflows caused by heavy rainfall in Vikarabad and the catchment areas of the two reservoirs.

 

A resident of Kamalanagar, recalled the frightening speed at which the water level rose after the gates were opened. “We literally saved our lives in the night. Our belongings were completely damaged due to the failure of the authorities to alert us in time,” he complained.

 

On Sunday, several families returned to their properties and began the arduous task of clearing water from their houses. Children were seen moving salvaged belongings to safer spots while the men and women concentrated on cleaning the interior of their homes.

 

A local resident of Chaderghat, expressed his frustration at being advised to stay away: “People are asking us not to return for a few more days. How do you expect us to sit calmly in some function hall or at a relative’s place when our house is inundated and belongings bought through hard-earned money are getting damaged?”

 

The scene was much the same in the slum area of Asad Baba Nagar, Kishanbagh, where numerous houses were submerged, forcing residents to evacuate. While a few mustered the courage to return on Sunday to begin the clean-up, many others stood outside, waiting for government assistance. A local, explained his reluctance: “There is a lot of work to be done, and I don’t think with small children my wife will assist me. I am waiting for help from the government. I will call my relatives tomorrow and we will do it ourselves.”

 

Volunteers from the ‘Terminate Hunger’ foundation were moving around the locality, distributing meals to the affected families, while local AIMIM party workers were also actively distributing food and coordinating with NGOs to provide essential relief.

 

Also read: Heavy rain floods Hyderabad as River Musi overflows