Scores left homeless at Badarpur Khadar Extn

NEW DELHI: The scene at Badarpur Khadar Extension on Thursday was straight out of an apocalypse film - all houses, as far as the eye could see, were submerged and people were trying to wade through waist-deep water carrying what they could - small pieces of furniture, clothing, household items and animals on their heads.
Locals in Khadar Extension said the area was suddenly flooded in the early morning hours of Wednesday.Hoping the water level would eventually subside, many residents took refuge on their terraces. When the water reached alarming levels, many families left the low-lying area that was inundated.
Amid the chaos, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with police personnel, continued rescue operations in the narrow lanes of Vishwakarma Colony, which houses nearly 5,000 people. In several places, the water had risen above seven feet.
Making their way through submerged vehicles and muddy water, two lifeboats began rescue operations in the afternoon, with NDRF personnel calling out to people: "Koi bhi andar hai kya? Koi hai to awaaz do (if someone is stuck inside, please shout out)."
Minutes later, as loud banging was heard on a door, the personnel rowed towards hapless and stranded people seeking help. The two teams rescued five persons, all natives of Bihar, from what seemed like a ghost town. Kurban (36), who works at a car garage, managed to gather some household items in his hands. With a bittersweet smile on his face, he told TOI he was happy to be rescued but felt helpless that his house was now in a shambles.
According to NDRF official Vikkee Kumar, the rescue operations have been on since Wednesday morning and continued till 3am Thursday. "We again started early at 6am. So far, about 700 people have been rescued and we hope in the next few hours, we will be able to rescue everyone," he added.
Many people have stayed put in their homes as they are scared to leave their belongings, said officials. "We have given inputs that the water levels will likely increase and it could be life-threatening to stay in the area. While we have been trying to politely convince people, we would have to use force if they don't come out of their homes," said another official.
Hundreds of people, now homeless, have made makeshift tents on the other side of the road. Scores have taken refuge at the nearby madrasa and schools. "We have no place to go, which is why we are on the road," said a member of a family of six.
Another resident of Vishwakarma Colony said her house was situated on a slope and got completely engulfed. The 35-year-old mother of three children, she is now taking shelter at a school.
"The flood control team and police force knew that a flood situation may arise. Then why were the evacuations done at the last minute? Why were no announcements made in advance?" she asked. Her husband is a daily wager with a monthly income of Rs 9,000.
Another resident, Sangeeta (35), whose daughter is about to get married soon, said, "If we had been given warning, I could have kept all my life savings." Meanwhile, some locals, like Nisha and her mother Afsana, swung into action to rescue animals stuck and injured in flood-hit areas.