The incessant rains in Hyderabad since the past week have made lives miserable in the city, especially for people living in the low-lying areas. The rains and consequent floods have wreaked havoc in several colonies, with water inundating homes up to several feet and washing away valuables. Hundreds of people were asked to shift to either relief/rehabilitation centres in makeshift arrangements during the floods. This has been one of the worst floods to hit the city in the recent past.
Basic necessities such as clothes, groceries, utensils and even vehicles and other necessities have also been washed away in the floodwaters. In this time of crisis, it's the volunteers and the donors that are driving the relief measures individually at the ground level.
Keeping the requirements of the distressed people in mind, about 10 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have come together to help people. All of them together have formed a team called Hyderabad Flash Floods to help people.
Speaking to TNM, the co-ordinator of the Volunteers group, Feroz Baig said, “We are overwhelmed by the response that we are getting from the public. We are almost getting calls every minute and people are sending whatever materials they can. We are also coordinating with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities for coordination and for distribution of the material that we have collected from various sources.”
The team is collecting items such as clothes of all varieties and sizes (washed and neatly folded), utensils (steel vessels, mugs, buckets and others), toiletries and other items (new soaps, toothbrushes, sanitary napkins, dry ration (rice, atta and others). They have set up collection points in almost twelve locations, including Secunderabad, Malakpet, Basheerbagh, Gachibowli, Jubilee Hills and others.
If you would like to help the flood victims, you can drop off materials at the nearest centre between 11 am and 5 pm. Here are the items required:
1. Utensils: Steel glasses, Steel spoons (all sizes), Steel cooking vessels, Plastic mugs, Plastic buckets (all sizes), Soaps, detergent powder packs (in plastic covers)
2. Clothing: Shirt shalwar sets for all ages, Trousers and shirts for all ages, Kurta pyjama, Lungis, Sarees . Track suits, Toiletries (including sanitary napkins), Frocks for all ages, Shirt, T-shirt, shorts for boys, Sweaters Jackets, Thermals, Fresh undergarments for all ages and genders.
3. Blankets and bedsheets.
People who would like to contribute can get in touch on the numbers mentioned below. You can also use online platforms like Flipkart and Amazon to send the material to the collection centers.
Abids - FD Khan and Sons 040- 24758170
Secunderabad - Le Palais Royale, 040-27901065
Masab Tank - Hotel Crystal Banjara
Basheer Bagh - Paigah Plaza -9246886641
Nampally - Modina Girls School - 9849120326/9490603996
Tolichowki - MS Academy - 9246202822 Banjara Hills - Audi Showroom - 7674922669
Program Coordinator - Feroz Baig (9394419801)
All the details have been mentioned in the poster below.
People can also dial 100 for emergencies and for any other assistance from Disaster Response Force (DRF) team, they can contact 040-29555500.