Hyderabad: The stench emanating from flooded houses is sickening and the people cleaning them are having a hard time because they just can’t work continuously. During the last two days, volunteers and family members who clean the houses say that the smell is unbearable.
During the night, the stench worsens as continuously flowing water from lakes, sewage and storm drains makes it worse. The decrease in night temperatures is also one of the factors that aggravate the stench.
People have thrown wooden sofas, mattresses, clothing, utensils, and furniture out of their homes. Along with the water from the floods, jute bags, helmets, wooden toys and also sanitary materials arrived that are now being removed from the houses. Many items stick to walls, furniture, and along steps when water enters.
Mansoor Ahmed from Baba nagar says “It is difficult to work continuously. Despite wrapping our noses in cloths, we still cannot work continuously. The women began to cry and we had to keep them at the relatives’ house, since it was not possible for them to do the cleaning ”.
Emotionally exhausted from seeing the state of their homes, many have not been able to accept the devastation. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has deployed machines to remove sediment and collect garbage from outside houses. Bleach packets are distributed for spraying and cleaning. With power yet to be restored and no fresh water, cleanup has been difficult.
Many clean during the day, but spend the night with relatives. Until the situation improves, the families have decided not to back down.
Non-governmental organizations claim that aid in terms of food, water packages and other household requirements is pouring in. There is a shortage of medical camps and that is much needed. A non-governmental organization has created a team of paramedics to go from house to house with a test kit.
Some doctors have been posted outside and are monitoring those with fever and fungal infections. They have limitations as only 30 houses can be covered due to the dirt and grime around. With more than 30,000 people affected and many others still in flooded colonies, there is a need for a more focused outreach.
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