It’s been almost a week since the flood waters from Delhi receded and the water-logged roads of the national capital have been cleared for the traffic to resume. However, for the thousands of underprivileged slum dwellers who lived in the low lying areas, the normalcy is yet to return. They are living in relief camps and are yet to return to the lands they once inhabited because the debris from the flood is yet to be cleared.

They have lost their personal belongings, their houses have been washed away and all that remains at the site of their houses is a swamp where the rotting smell adds to the inhospitality of the place. 

Meanwhile, Delhi’s bureaucracy and the government is at loggerheads in a tussle pertaining to the disbursal of relief measures to the flood-affected population. On July 29, the state Revenue Minister Atishi pulled up Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar for the alleged laxity. 

Here’s how the flood-affected population is coping up at the relief camps:

The worst brunt of the floods has fallen on the women who have quickly set up their choolha [mud oven] at the relief camps and are ensuring two square meals for their families. The menfolk, are mostly out of job and are relying on the relief measures for the the survival of their families.

The elder siblings are in charge of taking care of the younger ones while the mothers are busy preparing the meals at the relief camps.

Kids pose for a photograph at the relief camps in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar.

The living spaces are congested and those living here have arrived with whatever personal belongings they could secure when the floods hit their homes.

The gender roles have withstood the crisis. The daily task of fetching water for the household is still the responsibility of the women.  

Not all who are displaced as as lucky as others. Some have to resort to living and cooking on the dividers on the road.

The water tankers from Delhi Jal Board ensure that the displaced population at the shelters get water for their daily needs.