C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Koyambedu bus terminus and the Omni Bus terminus was unusually crowded even though it was not a festival season.
As meterology department predicted heavy rains, people were crowding the bus terminus to get into the next bus and travel to far off places to escape the rain fury.
"I lost everything due to rains. I just want to get out of the city, said a perturbed Kavitha, who somehow managed to reach koyambedu station.
In Chinmaya Nagar, most of the people vacated their homes to reach Koyambedu bus stand to board moffusil buses.
"This is a never ending nightmare since Deepavali," said Rajesh, a resident of Aiyappa Nagar, as he packed his bags to leave the area.
The water has turned black and there is no help coming, said the resident.
Interestingly, the camaraderie was at its best when residents helped pull out a submerged car from the banks of the river.
At many places, residents have started community kitchens and are providing food to flood hit.
Private buses who were initially shy to ferry out people as the routes were waterlogged took a circuitous route. "Yesterday, buses were diverted via kanchipuram, vellore, krishnagiri, Salem, dindigul, madurai. It took nearly 18 hours. We had to cover additional 300 km so we charged Rs 1500. We also had to pay cess at toll gates" said a bus operator.
The rush was huge that some bus owners who operated buses during night had to operate buses during the day on Thursday.
A bus operator also defended the increase in prices saying buses would have to return empty after we drop the passengers, he said.
Meanwhile, Chengalpet route has been opened for South bound buses. The route is still a difficult one due to water logging said a bus operator.
The most pathetic sight was to watch some families roaming aimlessly. With no money all they required was food and shelter but they don' t know where to find it.
"Please help us to leave the city," said the woman to a passer - by while clutching her children.
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