Floods dampen Diwali in Karnataka

Raichur, Oct 17: Even as people across the country are celebrating Diwali, the recent floods in the villages of Karnataka's Raichur district have left no joy for the affected people.

In one of the worst disasters in Karnataka's history, the floods wreaked havoc in northern parts of the state in Sep 2009, killing over 300 people besides rendering several thousands homeless.

Floodwaters swamped millions of acres of farmland and damaged standing crops of sugarcane, maize, rice and wheat.

A lot of helpless villagers in Raichur district are still waiting for the government's relief.

"Our house has fallen. Children are all sitting hungry. We haven't got anything yet from the government. So how will we celebrate Deepavali. All are helpless and we don't know what to do," said Srinivas, a flood affected villager.

In Bangalore, the people do not seem to be in a mood to celebrate the festival of lights as the flood devastated the life of their co-citizens.

Many of the crackers shop appear a deserted look with buyers and the rush of previous years becoming conspicuous by absence.

"This Deepavali we felt that we are not doing well as the entire state is having a low turn due to the floods and recession. People are not coming out and buying things. There's not much to purchase and we also do not want to celebrate it with great pomp or something," said Arun, a local.

Meanwhile, the State Government has requested people to celebrate the festival in a simple manner.

ANI