September 23 floods pose as a constant reminder of rain fury for citizens as they are sure to experience the nightmare again. For, increased height of roads across city post-construction of concrete layers, about two feet above ground-level, is a certain threat of floods. People residing in low-lying areas of the city are at mercy of planners. Elderly citizens like the Ayade couple residing at Friends Cooperative Society- 4 in Deendayal Nagar, stand at the crossroads. They are puzzled as to where to look at and whom to approach. Sharing its fear with ‘The Hitavada’, the Ayade couple said, “Everytime it rains or even during lighting, we tremble with the very thought that in case the intensity of rains gets severe then rain water is going to gush into the house. On September 23, not only our house but entire locality got flooded too. Water level in our bedroom and kitchen reached almost five feet, submerging everthing.” “For us, out house getting flooded during heavy rains is not a new experience.

 

We are facing such situations since 2018. But this time it was horrifying. On September 23, before water entered our home, the deafening sound of lightning woke us up in fear. Everytime when authorities ring the warning bells about increasing water level, we fear of floods,” expressed 67-year old Vrunda Ayade. Her 75-year old husband Manohar, agrees nodding. They both are patients of Asthama but the flood aggravated their trouble and now they have to regularly use nebuliser. Everyone feels that some typical areas like Ambazari lay out, Shankar Nagar, Sitabuldi, Corporation Colony, Daga layout are the only affected ones.

 

Nobody knows that areas like Jafar Nagar, Gorewada, Anant Nagar in West Nagpur and Swawlambi Nagar, Deendayal Nagar too faced the wrath of rains that occured on September 23, 2023. Considering the menace of rain water, Ayade family raised the height of their home in May this year but it did not work due to severity of rains. The family got the first helping call from Dr Seema Somalwar, Principal of Nikalas Somalwar Mahavidyalaya at around 2.30 am who resides in the same colony. “We have been informing the authorities, corporator about the persisting problems, nobody is giving heed to it. When we tried to know the root of the issue, we found that some work done at nullah created the problem. Secondly, we don’t remember that the nullah behind our home has bee cleaned in last 15 years. Problems are plenty but where is the solution. Last year we had to throw lot of items as those got damaged.

 

This year, our two-wheelers remained submerged along with the car. The car is still at garage. Lot of fecal matter entered in kitchen too. Unfortunately, our utensils were on the floor, due to which for next few days, we had developed naucea,” narrated Vrunda Ayade. Government announced help for which the citizens had to queue up during the survey. Manohar Ayade who is suffering from Asthama suffered a lot when he had to stand for 3-4 hours to. “We have our son and daughter-in-law to help but what about those who are living alone. Natural calamity keeps taking place but we have one major concern that authorities should come up with a concrete solution so that nobody should suffer again. This flood should be taken as a learning lesson,” pointed out Ayade couple.