Flood-hit families struggling to rebuild homes

Nashik: Families living on the edge of the Godavari are struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives washed away in the raging flood last week.
Ravi and Sangita Chavan helplessly watched their belonging being carried away in the river waters. Rain fury washed away their hutment at Gauri Patangan, on the banks of Godavari, leaving them with just the clothes they were wearing.
Now seeking refuge under the flyover on Mumbai-Agra Highway near Kannamwar Bridge, they are coming to terms with their life.The only solace is that their son is away with is grandparents in Konkan and has been spread the devastation.
On Monday, they had to survive only on a single vada pav for lunch as the Sairam Temple that caters free lunch was closed. Since the past few days, this rag-picker couple has been eating at the temple.
"For the past eight days, we are eating at the temple near Ramkund as our house, with all the belongings, was washed away. On Monday, the temple was closed and we had to survive on a vada pav as we don't have money. We are now living under the flyover," said Ravi.
They salvaged some bedsheets flowing in the flood waters and have been using them as cover. "Thankfully, my father who is in Konkan takes care of my son. I dread what have happened if he was here," said Sangita.
Kantabai Pawar, also a rag picker, shares their plight. She said many houses in their slum were damaged in the flood. "I want to send my children to boarding school, but they require an Aadhaar card and other documents. All these documents got washed away in the flood. I have make duplicate copies now," she said.
Many street vendors selling herbal medicines suffered losses after losing their produce in the flood. "We incurred losses to the tune of Rs 5,000. All the herbs got washed away. There is no business since the past eight days, adding to our misery," said Vanita Tolsam.
Vijay Thakur, another vendor of herbal products, felt that the Nashik Municipal Corporation should offer them some compensation. "We store our material in the godown at Ahilyaram Vyamshala Prasarak Mandal. Water entered inside and destroyed the material. Around 20-25 people are facing losses. Despite clear skies since two days, we have no business," said Vijay.