NEW DELHI
Barely four kilometres from the posh Civil Lines colony, home to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, residents of Yamuna Bazar say they are tired of rebuilding homes that floods have ravaged twice in two years.
Many now consider abandoning their decades-old houses, fearing repeated loss of property and mounting costs. Near Loha Pul, Salman, 25, and his wife, Ruksar, 23, sat on a cot on the pavement, their belongings stacked in four cement sacks that doubled up as makeshift stairs. “This is the second time in recent years. In 2023, we anticipated the floods and managed to save some belongings. However, this year the Delhi government assured us the pumps would work and the city would not be flooded,” said Mr. Salman.
Mulling migration
Ms. Ruksar added, “I barely make ₹500 a day. Damage like this every year forces us to think of leaving. Four days ago, we rented a ₹3,000 room in Shastri Park and left our old house behind.”
A few houses away, Rakhi Sahu, 44, watched her brick-and-mortar home’s ground floor sink under water. Only a box containing ₹4,000 and her mattress survived.
“We thought of shifting to Loni, but here at least we do not pay rent. Moving would mean more expenses. No leader has visited us,” she said. In Majnu ka Tila, Manoj, who runs a home kitchen, told The Hindu, “I have not earned a rupee in days. The lanes are filled with filth and mosquitoes, yet no civic workers have come to clean.” .
Published – September 10, 2025 01:28 am IST
