Secunderabad: First fire, now demolition of burnt building damaging the houses of Kachi Bowli

The terrace of one of the houses broke partially after the debris of the six-storey under-demolition building fell on it on Monday morning.

“The other half of the damaged terrace wall, which is standing there right now, already has cracks in it. I think it will also fall soon,” Pavan said.

Meanwhile, the residents of around 15 houses, who were evacuated on the night of the fire in Secunderabad, are sheltered in makeshift tents or other houses amid cold and buzzing mosquitoes.

Related: Life in the street slows down Kachi Bowli residents after fire

Unsure of returning home soon

Cracks have developed in one of the adjoining walls of the burnt Deccan Corporation, Secunderabad and one of the affected houses. (Supplied)

The atmosphere of tension has escalated among the residents, who have been already worried since the beginning of the demolition.

“Everyone is feeling helpless as things are out of our control in this situation. We feel that once the building is demolished, our tension would subside,” Pavan said.

However, the locals, whose livelihood has been affected greatly, are unsure whether they will be immediately able to return to their houses.

“We will ask the authorities to inspect the walls of our houses and their conditions. Due to the flames of fire first and now demolition, they have suffered serious damage. Only then we can decide whether to move back permanently or get them repaired first, and live in rented houses,” a dejected S Sandeep explained to South First.

He requested authorities not to rush the work as that might damage the houses further.

It is estimated that it will take another week for the authorities to completely demolish the L-shaped building.

‘MLA assures repair’

The local residents told South First that the area’s MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who is also the animal husbandry minister of Telangana, has been regularly assuring them of getting their houses repaired.

“He said that we can not control the damage, but he will get it repaired,” said Pavan and Sandeep.

Secunderabad Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) Shailaja B, while confirming this to South First, said, “The MLA said he will personally get it done.”

About the immediate return of the local residents to their houses, she said that the decision would be taken based on the assessment of houses and the willingness of the residents.

Meanwhile, the MRO office has been regularly holding health camps for the affected after several seniors complained of incessant cough, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other ailments.

The Revenue Department is distributing meals three times based on the collector’s order.

(The names of the affected people have been changed on request).

Related: Charred body found 2 days after building fire; 2 still missing