AHMEDABAD: Luxury vehicles worth more than Rs 100 crore, the emblems of Sentossa Park’s upward mobility, were pinned underwater for hours by unceasing rain in Ahmedabad on Thursday.The vehicles suffered extensive water damage.Almost every bungalow in the society has two or three premium vehicles, Sentossa residents said.They spent Saturday trying to wash away mud and debris from their homes and surroundings.As floodwaters recede from the posh neighbourhood, situated off Chhanalal Joshi Marg, the scope of destruction is coming into view.Slush besieged furniture, modular kitchens, electrical appliances, pumps, generators, and household equipment worth Rs 50 crore.
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Floodwater swamped priceless antique furniture and bespoke interiors.Around 30 of the 40 bungalows in the society were flooded with more than 2 feet of water after Thursday’s downpour.Rescuers extricated more than 100 people on Friday.“By Saturday, residents began cleaning up and assessing the damage,” a resident said. “At my home, the water level reached about 5 feet, and all the electricity boards were submerged. We requested our house help and cleaners to work during daylight hours.”Another resident, Priyanshu Acharya, said, “Water started entering the society around 7pm on Thursday and quickly rose to nearly 4 feet inside the ground floor of several homes.”Acharya, who belongs to a family of bullion traders, said, “Water came with tremendous force. We shifted only the essentials upstairs. Most of the wooden furniture is destroyed. Cars have suffered severe damage.”He said that open areas around the society are still flooded and water continues to enter the premises.A leading industrialist who lives in the society said, “The ground floor of the house was flooded with 2 feet of water. AMC teams cleaned the exterior areas while we cleaned everything inside.”He said it may take two more days before he can move back in.Sentossa Park was developed after plots were carved out in 2001.Today, the society houses sprawling bungalows spread across 3,000-10,000 square yards, with individual properties valued between Rs 40 crore and Rs 100 crore, according to residents.Many homeowners are grandees of industry, real estate development, and jewellery business.Residents recalled that the society was flooded about five years ago, but only five to seven bungalows were affected then.Some of the residents also questioned whether the city’s drainage infrastructure was adequate for a neighbourhood that sits at the dead end of the road.A civic body source familiar with the area said, “Flooding has once again highlighted the need for a dedicated pumping station and drainage master plan to prevent a repeat of the disaster.”
