CHENNAI: Even as Chennaiites curse the unprecedented floods that swept away many residents’ futures, the floods were a godsend for some who had a field day collecting electronic durables that werewashed away.
Risking their lives, a few men were found a couple of days ago above the Aranganathan Subway at Saidapet, fishing out electronic goods like TVs, refrigerators and washing machines, which were washed away from inundated houses.
“On Wednesday alone, we made a fortune with 20 colour TVs, refrigerators and washing machines that came with the floodwater. But the number of items reduced on Thursday,” a local collecting these items said. “We will retain whatever is useful to us and sell the remaining to scrappers.”
Standing atop the pillars of the subway, the enthusiastic men also collected plastic materials like pots, bubble top cans and dolls, and anxiously searched huge bags floating through the subway. “Even some families are doing this. Most of these things will go to scrap,” said Muthu, a rag picker, as he ventured into the waters to try his luck.
Two Sintex water tanks meant for distributing potable water to the public, packed food products, soft drink bottles, shampoo sashes, and several household materials were found in the floodwaters on Thursday. Two street-side shops were also washed away, but got stuck at the Aranganathan subway.
While a man collected materials from the water, his family members protected the retrieved items on the adjacent railway track. “The people also rescued three stray dogs that were washed away,” claimed rag pickers.