The most affected in the Chennai deluge are the city’s middle class. Many people have been left with nothing except the clothes they are wearing. As dramatic as that may sound, it is the sad truth.
People living in areas such as Tambaram and Mudichur have not been affected once but twice in the past few weeks. But the second deluge forced them to abandon their homes. Many say that all the amenities are useless now. People have lost their TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, furniture, clothes and even mattresses. They will need to build their homes from scratch. The second time it submerged our house. With no belongings, we are literally on the road, they say.
The government has announced relief for the poor, but nothing for the middle class. They need to pay for the cleaning and re building all on their own. Many in this section of society are angry. Even for cleaning the house workers ask Rs. 3,000. The Rs. 5,000 they (government) offer will be enough for that only. I know it may not be possible to compensate all our losses. At least to a certain extent if they could extend support for us also it would be of great help, they say.