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What flood leaves behind: Economicburden, diseases, snakes, corpses too

What flood leaves behind: Economicburden, diseases, snakes, corpses too

Time of India5 hours ago
Lucknow: When the floodwaters started receding in Prayagraj's Chota Baghada area a couple of years back, Ramakant Tripathi's family decided to shift back to the ground floor of their three-storey house after days of torment.
The joy of climbing down back to bedroom, hall and kitchen, however, got a jolt by the sight of a decomposed body that came floating into the house, along with floodwater.
Such ordeals are often common for the residents of localities in Prayagraj and Varanasi, which face the wrath of swollen rivers almost every year, bringing with it a cocktail of threats that go beyond financial losses. "As waters recede, we brace to confront the aftermath, one that's teeming with snakes and dangerous insects.
A few times, the situation is exacerbated by the presence of bodies/carcases," said Tripathi, a retired professional.
Talking to TOI, Mohd Shabi, a teacher in Prayagraj, said: "As we navigate the tumultuous waters in the Kareli area, we find ourselves compelled to restart life from scratch. The recent marooning of our area has forced us to abandon our homes, with waters breaching the walls and furniture displaced, leaving my family of eight members to seek refuge in the house of our relative."
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The rising Ganga river has brought Varanasi to a standstill too, with the city's major ghats submerged and riverside temples waterlogged. Residents are facing numerous challenges, from disrupted daily routines to concerns about safety and health.
"Though the govt is doing its bit by conducting regular fogging and anti-larval drives, the river water will still bring with it a host of disease-carrying insects, which thrive in the stagnant waters.
The risk of water-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya increases manifold," said Ragini Ratan, a Noida-based IT professional who has come to her hometown Kashi for a week for Raksha Bandhan.
Not just health concerns, flooding also mount a financial burn on the residents.
"Every year, we are forced to replace the doors, repaint the house, and redo the grouting on the tiles – a never-ending cycle of repairs to combat the wear and tear caused by the floods," said Dhirendra Narayan, another resident.
"The financial losses are substantial, with damages to furniture, houses, and other infrastructure running into thousands. Many families are forced to spend their life savings on repairs and reconstruction," said Gyan Chand, a shopkeeper in Kashi.
Ankit Srivastav, a businessman near Shri Nagvasuki Mandir in Prayagraj, said: "Snakes, in particular, become a major concern as they slither into homes and public spaces.
The situation is dire, with families forced to spend sleepless nights, fearing a snake might crawl into their homes."
"It is true that dealing with flood aftermath is more challenging than the flood itself. As civic body representatives we often come across numerous requests related to dealing with clearing carcasses, living snakes, dead fish, etc," said Fazal Khan, a corporator of Karamat Ki Chowki area where river water has entered over 21,000 houses.
"As of now, I, in collaboration with some social organizations, have arranged five boats to deliver food to the victims. When the water recedes, the more daunting task of rehabilitation will begin," he said, while delivering a packet of packed 'chhole bhature' to a family which has been forced to stay indoors for the last 3 days.
Residents hail NDRF heroes, CM's Team 11
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and CM Yogi Adityanath's Team 11 has earned gratitude from flood-affected people for their prompt rescue operations.
"With their expertise and dedication, NDRF personnel are patiently braving treacherous conditions to rescue stranded people like us, provide crucial medical aid, and distribute essential relief materials... We salute them," said Richa Tripathi, a resident of Rajapur area of Prayagraj.
UP minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, in charge of Team 11 in Prayagraj, has assured us of all possible support from the Yogi govt. There is also no shortage of relief materials in our area," said Parveen Bano, a local.
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