Game plan required to keep chronic flooding in check

Sebastian Assao outside his home, which is among the bungalows that were submerged. Pic/Hanif Patel

Vasai, Virar and Nalasopara are underwater. Residents of ground-floor flats in these areas have moved into hotels, thanks to inundated homes because of the fierce rains.

Locals claim pre-monsoon work was improperly executed while the civic chief said high tide was responsible for waterlogging. Some families spoke out in an extensive report about being forced to move to hotels.

Several spoke out about a familiar pattern, where rainwater enters homes every monsoon. They alleged that the municipal corporation was not sensitised to the plight of the people, since this recurred.

Some who have returned to their homes claim there is an all-pervasive stink. Residents said they have been buying packaged drinking water.

Officials accused the reporter of concentrating on the negatives, cited high tide, and said that some areas were low-lying, so there was bound to be flooding.

Taking everything into account, it is important that a game plan be drawn up for next year. One can see if technology such as pumps can be used to draw out water. There must be scientific ways to tackle this and every option should be explored.

Currently, the focus must be on immediate care to prevent disease. The number of dengue and leptospirosis cases is acute during this season, so the authorities need to be quick to try and prevent health emergencies. Can the stink in homes be tackled in some way? Is there a way to make the surroundings cleaner? These are some of the areas officials must look at.

Meanwhile, the beleaguered locals need to ensure hygiene is maintained, at least, to whatever extent they can.

The authorities concerned must focus on the vicinity and work towards the long-time goal of preventing the recurrence of flooding.