Team Herald
PONDA: With the monsoon likely to hit the State in first week of June, Pondaites are facing tough time in preparing themselves for the rainy season by procuring the required goods as the shops remain open only for half day.
The State govt planning a review meeting on Saturday with respect to curfew, the locals are demanding that in case the curfew is extended then the government should allow to operate the shops selling goods essential for monsoon use such as umbrella, raincoats etc.
And with the Cyclone Tauktae, the State witnessing life and property loss, and heavy rainfall for the past five days, the people are facing hardships in getting the goods required during monsoon as most of the shops selling umbrellas, raincoats are shut on account of lockdown and curfew in force. Some houses which are not repaired are leaking.
However, only few shops selling cement, metal sheets remain open only during morning time and with only few days are left for monsoon’s arrival, Pondaites demand these shops be kept open for full day.
Earlier, the local panchayats, municipality have declared seven days lockdown wherein all shops remained closed and the citizens couldn’t buy goods for monsoon preparations. Later, curfew was imposed, due to which the house repairs works are also pending.
Further, there is a shortage of construction material and goods due to lockdown by neighbouring States. The shops owners dealing in metal and cement sheets said that there is shortage of these material as it can’t be brought due to lockdown and curfew.
