Hindon Floods Devastate Lives and Homes: Villagers Struggle to Rebuild
The recent floods in Hindon have caused extensive damage, leaving many villagers in a state of devastation as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives and homes. Ansa Begam, a resident of Bahlolpur village, expressed the heart-wrenching reality faced by many affected families. Our whole life was in this house. Now we are left with nothing, she said.
Begam, along with her husband and three children, lived on the Hindon floodplains before the relentless river engulfed their humble dwelling, washing away their belongings – clothes, children’s books, utensils, and important documents. With mere moments to spare, they managed to salvage only two wooden cots, two cows, and a few documents before being forced to evacuate their home.
The dire situation faced by Begam’s family is replicated across six villages in Ghaziabad along the Hindon, where approximately 6,000 individuals have been displaced by the floods. The floodwaters have submerged vast stretches of agricultural fields, houses, and roads, a majority of which were illegally constructed on the floodplains.
As residents of Bahlolpur, Chotpur, and Chhajarsi venture back to their homes, they are greeted with scenes of desolation and uncertainty. Shravan Kumar, another resident of Bahlolpur, described the sorry state of his house, now a muddy mess with furniture displaced and silt stains on clothes, cabinets, and bedsheets. We will have to start by shoveling out the mud and then clean everything to make the house habitable again. Repairs will also be necessary, he lamented.
Houses situated just 50 meters from the river channel remain particularly vulnerable. The force of the torrential river has left noticeable cracks in the walls, raising concerns among residents about the structural integrity of their homes. Brijesh Kumar, a resident of Chotpur, shared his apprehension, stating, We returned to check on our house today and found cracks on the wall. We are not sure about moving back yet, as it might cave in at any time.
Affected residents are grappling not only with damaged homes but also with waterlogged and treacherously slippery roads. The lingering stench of garbage and muck pervades the atmosphere as the receding waters leave behind layers of debris. The situation is exacerbated by the potential contamination of groundwater, causing residents to worry about the health implications.
Tragically, the floods have claimed at least one life, with an unidentified body discovered in Babita Colony at Bahlolpur village. Local inhabitants believe the body could have been washed down from a neighboring village, adding to the tragedy and despair brought on by this calamity.
It is crucial for authorities and relief organizations to extend their support to these affected communities and help them in their arduous journey towards rebuilding their lives. The road to recovery is long, and the villagers of Hindon need all the assistance they can get to overcome this devastating ordeal.
