Patna: The unprepared city

There is water, water everywhere in Patna. Many residents have been fighting a seemingly unending battle against nature’s wrath. Rains have battered the inundated city in the last few days, throwing life out of gear.

The state capital hasn’t experienced rains on Monday morning. The skies above have dark threatening clouds though, while the met department has warned that the worst isn’t over. That could mean more misfortune for the badly hit Patna and the state of Bihar in general.

Those who had experienced the ruthless floods of 1975 have been recounting many horror stories from those days. Younger others have been insisting that they have seen nothing like this in their hometown before.

The district administration has ordered closure of all private and government schools until the first of October. Since Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, falls on October 2, schools shall reopen on the third if normalcy returns. Only if, that is.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been pressed into service for rescue and relief operations in the rain-affected districts, which includes Patna. Motorboats carrying people in distress can be seen in action. Food packets are being distributed to the needy. But, if one speaks to troubled citizens and reads posts on social media, it is clear that many Patnaites believe that the district administration has been caught in a state of complete unpreparedness.

“It is nature’s fury before which man is often helpless. We are, however, trying our best. The problem is, we have no idea how long the downpour is going to last. Even the weather department is clueless, making different predictions at different points of time,” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said. Residents expecting timely assistance aren’t satisfied with the CM’s explanation. They wish to see prompt action in the affected areas, and the administration’s performance hasn’t been satisfactory so far.

Ritesh Jha, a Rajendra Nagar resident, echoes the popular sentiment, “People living in flooded areas need a lot more support from the establishment. Sadly, what is being done for them is not enough.” Jha adds, “People in trouble could have been evacuated quickly. Essential supplies could have reached each and every person who needs them. That is not happening,” he affirms while searching for potato, a kitchen staple in the state.

Areas like Kankarbagh, Rajendra Nagar, Bahadurpur and Dak Bungalow Road have been badly affected. Very few auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws, popularly known as ‘hawa hawai,’ can be found on the streets. Photographs of submerged homes being circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook reveal the gravity of the situation. Those experiencing the real thing are hoping to see a cloudless sky soon.

Healthcare facilities have been impacted, with water entering the premises of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, the second largest healthcare service provider in the capital. After the Emergency and ICU wards were flooded with knee-deep water, patients in a critical condition were shifted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Open nullahs, manholes without lids and a poor drainage system have contributed to the list of problems for the commoner. Several trains have been cancelled or are running late, which is not surprising because means of transport come to a halt whenever and wherever the level of water is unnaturally high.

Areas like Rajendra Nagar, Samanpura, Raja Bazaar and Kankerbagh, among several others, have been experiencing power cuts. A depressing video of a dead body being carried on a cart is being repeatedly shown on a television channel. It is a telling representation of the difficulties the flooded capital’s residents are being forced to deal with.

The sight of people wading through waist-deep water, and worse, is a common one in many areas. There is the occasional stranded car and motorbike, too, which is a reminder of the risks associated with driving a vehicle when there is water logging.

Worried about what the future holds, many Patna residents have been stocking perishable commodities such as vegetables. Demand has surpassed supply, leading to price rise. Cauliflower is selling for Rs 60 per piece, which is much higher than the normal price. Okra can be bought for Rs 70 per kg, which is not reasonable either. Price rise notwithstanding, vegetables are disappearing from makeshift stalls and carts. There is frantic buying all around, and sellers have been capitalising on the situation.

A butcher has been selling mutton for Rs 600 per kg, which is Rs 100 more than the usual price. “I somehow managed to get some supply for my shop. So, I need to make profits.” That is his explanation. ‘Rehu’ fish is selling for Rs 250 a kg, which is much more than normal. The fishmonger’s explanation for selling at a higher price is the same. Take it or leave it: the buyer has a choice.

General stores selling essential commodities have been dealing with the heavy traffic of customers. In one such crowded store, agitated buyers were spotted arguing with each other while trying to reach the counter to place their order. The shop didn’t have enough employees who could respond to the sudden increase in demand for necessities like rice, wheat, sugar, bread, candles and matchboxes. But the few it had were doing what they could to assist the customers – without much success.

A shopkeeper who calls himself Bittu owns a small general store. He said, “I have limited stocks. I want to sell everything, go back home and take rest for a couple of days.” With customers visiting his shop in big numbers, Bittu’s dream of enjoying a break can come true soon.

Patna is renowned for its Durga Puja every year. Huge idols are installed in gorgeous pandals across the city. Many residents wear new clothes, offer prayers and take part in the festivities. Will the puja take place without being interrupted by rains? Those who wait for the puja every year are looking forward to it with the hope that nothing, not even rains, will impede the celebrations this time.

“Patna is drowning because it is a smart city,” a young man out to have fun in the waterlogged streets told this writer. The grinning man seemed to have immense faith in his sense of humour.

Adversity brings out the jester in some people, who can somehow crack jokes when the timing is all wrong.