M. Surya
My house is located on the banks of the Cooum. My parents were worried after officials started visiting our area to shift us to Perumbakkam. So, during the rains, I was scared about the rising water levels in the Cooum. Concerned about the safety of my home, I would watch the water level even while playing with my friends. I fell and broke my arm after one of my friends suddenly raised an alarm about flooding.
K. Bavani
We have been living in a Chennai Corporation School provided for the last ten days. After the flooding in the Cooum, we rushed to the school with our children leaving all our valuables. After leaving our children safely at the school, we returned home to take the valuables. But by the time we reached home, some of our clothes, books and utensils were lost. On Sunday, officials forced us to leave the school. Our homes are also flooded. So we had to return to the school.
S. Sasikala
After 13 days of homelessness, we have been forced to rethink our plans not to shift to alternative accommodation on the outskirts. We were not willing to shift to Perumbakkam on the outskirts because our livelihood depends on our neighbourhood. We have requested the government to give us alternative homes in the city. I will lose my salary of Rs. 3,500 if I shift. I have lost my valuables.
(Photos: M.Moorthy)
