WELCOME TO NALASOPARA

Most households in Nalasopara need food, water, milk and medical supplies. They were without electricity, too, for nearly 72 hours. The densely populated area is not just inundated in water, it is stranded. It has been abandoned by the authorities. It is apparent to one and all: the Island City matters, Nalasopara does not. Although rainwater has receded, pockets are still in knee-deep water. It will take another day for the water to reach ankle height. But what is staring them in the face now is the threat of an outbreak of disease and epidemic. Even more so since the water from Vasai creek has entered mainland. In this hell hole, the supply of perishable goods is down to a trickle and is available at a premium. Citizens are finding it difficult to access clean water for meeting their basic needs; they have to subsist on Bisleri which is hard to come by.

Electricity is back and, thankfully, mobiles can be charged again. For many, that was the first sign of connectivity with the outside world. But, unfortunately, the networks can’t be accessed.

Meanwhile, the forecast for heavy rainfall in the next 3 to 4 days has been withdrawn. It may rain but with diminished intensity.

The redeeming aspect is that on Wednesday morning, local trains were running, albeit on restricted speed, between Churchgate and Virar.

Hundreds of houses were flooded, even high rises were not spared, with water reaching to the first floor. The fate of chawls can be well imagined. All ‘nullahs’ in the area are choked – on desilting of which the corporation claims it had spent a couple of crores.