In a memorandum submitted to the authorities recently, they claimed that encroachments by slum-dwellers blocked the flow of rain water during the monsoons, which resulted in waterlogging in their areas.

Citing the example of Akashwani in Makarpura, the residents alleged that the city's biggest storm water drain -- from Masania pond to Makarpura south --which was originally about 25 meters in width, had now been reduced to less than 20 feet because of the encroachments.

``These encroachments not only block the flow of rain water, but also divert it towards the residential societies,'' they claimed, adding that situation was worsening near Dholikui and Tarsali areas. ``The residents of these slums live in unhygienic conditions. And due to stagnation of rain water, dirty water from the underground sewage overflows as the sewage get choked during the monsoons,'' they claimed. And because of this, people -- living in the slums and residential societies -- suffered from various diseases.like malaria, jaundice, gastroenteritis, typhoid and viral, throughout the year, they added.

Requesting an immediate solution, they alleged that the previous authorities of VMC and Collectorate had not initiated any step in the context despite their repeated representations.