People flee Surat fearing epidemic

People in Gujarat's financial hub Surat are fleeing in large numbers amid fears of an epidemic as the city turned into a "big garbage bin" after flood waters receded.

The city's railway station and main bus stands have witnessed crowds trying to escape as the threat of epidemic looms large.

Those who could not get tickets out of Surat in buses or trains were seen leaving in private vehicles.

Surat had witnessed a similar exodus in 1994 when plague had hit the city and forced thousands to leave.

"How can we live here amidst so much filth, garbage and stench? There are chances of an epidemic in the city and we are leaving as soon as possible," said Ketan Veervadi, a resident of the posh-Rander area of the city.

"25 families from my apartment have left Surat and another 50 would leave tonight. We do not want to as this is our home, but going to a relative's place in another city should be good for a few days," he added.

Veerwadi's apartments had been inundated in six feet of water for the past four days and are now covered in slush and heaps of garbage and carcasses of animals.

Another local, Nirnay Dube, said he could not live in the city under such "unhygienic conditions. The whole area smells of a huge dumpyard. Authorities are also not responding to our call to take away carcasses of dead animals." (PTI)