Photo Feature

Deluge of Despair: More rain worsens plight of people in relief camps

Published by
Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Heavy rain lashed the city, which is already grappling with the aftermath of floods, intensifying the fear and uncertainty among people. 

The previous week’s deluge had caused the Yamuna River to surge beyond its danger mark, inundating vast stretches of the capital and forcing many residents to seek shelter in makeshift tents. Even as the water levels gradually receded, another spell of rain has exacerbated the already precarious conditions of the city dwellers.

Despite a slight decrease in water levels since last week, the Yamuna in Delhi has remained ominously above the danger mark of 205.33 meters. The torrential rains that lashed the region from July 8 to July 9, coupled with subsequent showers in the upper catchment areas, caused the Yamuna to swell to unprecedented levels, triggering floods in various parts of the city. On July 13, the river reached a staggering 208.66 meters, surpassing the previous record of 207.49 meters set in September 1978. Even on this particular Tuesday, the river’s level, 205.43 meters at 5 pm, remained a cause for concern. Patriot visited the relief camps, capturing the spirit of resilience amid adversity.

Seeking Higher Ground: In Mayur Vihar’s Yamuna Khadar, floodwaters inundate the relief camp, forcing families to search for safer grounds. Braving the elements, they stand resilient, determined to find dry land for their survival.
Story of Struggle: Meet Prem Kumar, who has lived in the Yamuna floodplains for over a decade. After last week’s torrential downpour, he, along with his family had to abandon their makeshift tents, leaving behind all their belongings. He recounts, “It suddenly started raining. Within an hour, everything got flooded and we had to run, leaving all our belongings. Living here is incredibly challenging, especially with the rain pouring down once again.”
A Ray of Hope Amid Rain: Near the Mayur Vihar metro station, more than 150 makeshift tents provide refuge to evacuees from the flooded Yamuna Khadar. Despite the downpour, a heartwarming sight emerges as the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee arrives to distribute food packets and offer support to the people.
Struggling for Survival: The relief camp inhabitants endure long queues, battling hunger and rain to receive a meal. The image depicts their determination and the challenges they face in obtaining basic necessities.
Clinging to Belongings: Amid the chaos, the camp, packed to the rafters, sees people holding onto their meagre possessions, from pots and pans to clothes hanging on lines.

Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Mohd Shehwaaz Khan is a journalist based in New Delhi. He won Laadli Media Award 2023 for best feature in print

Published by
Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Recent Posts

Lok Sabha Polls: Modi, Gandhi address public as political fervour envelops Delhi

PM Narendra Modi and INDIA bloc leader Rahul Gandhi attend rallies in North East and…

May 18, 2024

Bollywood is not making women-centric films: Mita Vashisht

Veteran actor pays homage to late filmmaker Kumar Shahani and says OTT platforms are losing…

May 18, 2024

Two killed after truck hits bike in Delhi

A case under section 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) has been…

May 18, 2024

Iconic restaurant ‘The Grill Room’ reopens after four years

The Grill Room was famous in the 90s for its food, white glove service, and…

May 18, 2024

Advanced therapy centre for children with special needs opened in Delhi

It would cater to nearly 55 specially abled children who are helped by a dedicated…

May 18, 2024

Excessive earbuds use can cause hearing loss, allergy, warn experts

As today's youth increasingly rely on earbuds for music, risking hearing loss and infections, medical…

May 18, 2024