Ludhiana, Oct. 27 -- Around two months after the overflowing Buddha Nullah submerged homes in the narrow lanes of Dhokha Mohalla under three to four feet of water, the flood victims are still waiting for the promised government assistance to arrive. The locals face a protracted recovery, as their belongings, including furniture and appliances, were lost, and many homes sustained structural damage from the flooding on September 1.

The financial and personal toll remains heavy. Taran, 40, whose house on street number zero is just 50 metres from the nullah and was among the worst affected, described the devastation. "My kitchen was flooded. The fridge is damaged. All the groceries kept in the kitchen, flour, rice, pulses, etc., were damaged...