Schools, colleges open doors to rain-struck

Many schools, colleges and hostels opened their doors to provide shelter to stranded citizens in the heavy rains on Tuesday. Over 70 civic-run schools, 15 colleges, educational institutions, religious institutions and NGOs catered to people across the city. Naval officers also provided breakfast and lunch to over 1,500 people on Wednesday at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).

These institutions provided food, beverages, snacks, clothing and shelter to spend the night as there was no mode of transport available. The schools and colleges near railway stations helped those who were waiting for hours together and could not find a way out. A large number of people could not head back to their workplace but they could spend the night in classrooms, hostel rooms and ashrams.

Colleges like KC, HR, Jai Hind, Government Law College, Sydenham, Ruia, Ruparel, Kirti, SNDT, Telang Girls Hostel and schools like Holy Name High School, NM Joshi School and municipal schools helped marooned people.

Yogesh Deshpande, a volunteer who coordinated with three colleges, said, “We provided tea and biscuits to people and provided them with a place to rest at these places. .”

Naval officers provided breakfast, puri bhaji, lunch and chai to over 1,500 people. More than 1,000 people, including a few pregnant women, senior citizens and children were sheltered and provided meals by school teachers and staff at boarding schools. A helpline was started by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).