India, Aug. 3 -- For six days from July 4 to July 9, torrential rains disrupted the lives of the residents of Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar. Roads, shops and buildings were all flooded by several feet of water, and as evening fell, pitch-darkness enveloped the streets, the electricity department having stopped the power supply as a precautionary measure.

The flood-like situation-reminiscent of the 2018 floods in the region-was brought about by the negligence of the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), which failed to take steps for monsoon preparedness despite being reminded time and again by experts and local residents.

According to BJP corporator Manoj Patil, after the 2018 floods, the municipal corporation had conducted a st...