Life returns to normal as flood water recedes

Life is returning to normal in Delhi’s Monastery area from Saturday as flood water has receded and people are opening their shops. Most of the shops, which were half drowned till Friday morning have been cleaned and opened up.

“Last evening the water from the area receded and we cleaned our shops. Most of my wares have been ruined due to water but I opened my shop today,” said Tenzin Chonden, one of the shopkeeper.

The market, which in normal days is thronged by people for buying clothes and gadgets, also witnessed a few buyers after the flood like situation has come under control on Saturday. “I wanted some clothes and my friend told me that the market is working today so I came here with my sister,” said Prakash, a Delhi University student.

The area was out of electricity for the last four days but the supply was restored form Saturday. “There was no power supply from many days but on Saturday it was restored. There is proper water supply although many of us preferring to drink bottled water,” said Tsewang Lhamo, a shopkeeper.

The residents of the area have cleaned the whole area by themselves. They said that there is not much help from the government. According to the shopkeepers, only one Municipal Corporation van came on Saturday to pick up the garbage and for fogging. There are some areas in the market from where water is still being drained out by using motors.

“We have been doing all the cleaning by ourselves. We have cleaned the streets in our area. Only one Corporation van came today to pick up the garbage. We collected garbage and waste from all the streets and put it outside and after that the van just collected it,” said Norbu who runs a clothe shop in the market.

Few people in the area said that they are suffering from skin diseases and fever. “People are falling sick and many of us are suffering from skin diseases and fever,” said Norbu.

The officials are even ready to use section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which would not allow any protest by any environment body when the wall will get raised. “We are just waiting for a necessary clearances before can start raising the wall,” added the official.