Many families yet to receive compensation

In the aftermath of the December deluge, a compensation package of Rs. 10,000 was announced for families who lost their temporary dwellings while Rs. 5,000 was to be paid to those living in permanent structures and were badly affected. 

In Velachery, one of the worst-hit areas, most of the homes were submerged in almost five to seven feet of water. Most of the families, which had to be vacated with the help of boats, had lost almost all their household goods, as the houses remained inundated for days after the rains. 

Families lost goods worth lakhs. Balakrishnan M, Secretary of Tansi Nagar Residents Welfare Association, said all his belongings were destroyed. “It took me around a lakh to buy new furniture, bedding and household equipment. Since the water had stagnated for days, we had to whitewash the house a few times to get rid of the damp. For some, the damage has run to a few lakhs. But close to 400 families here haven’t received the compensation promised by the government. We spoke to the local councillor and the MLA, but nothing materialised,” he said. 

Residents of Vyasarpadi are angry with their local elected representatives. Many homes were inundated severely and families lost everything. However, what angered them was the lack of help from the officials. “When our houses were submerged, we couldn’t enter for weeks. During that time, the government did nothing for us. It was the north Indian community living here that took care of us. They provided us food, clothes and utensils. Barring a few, most of the families haven’t seen a rupee of the compensation. After a month when the local representatives came to our area, we chased them away. Such was our anger,” said Anthony K, a 51-year-old who operates a fish cart for a living.