Power has been restored to the residents of Vasai-Virar. Yet, this should not make us forget that Vasai, Virar, and Nalasopara locals suffered horrendously in the past three days of monsoon fury.

Power outages cut these residents from all their devices and, effectively, communication. Then, auto drivers were charging extremely high fares to transport the stranded. Prices skyrocketed, vegetables and fruits were hard to get, and eggs and bread went out of stock. This happens during a crisis but unfortunately has also come to be part of the package of difficult days in the city and on its outskirts. People are held to ransom when there are challenges. The police should have been on alert and stopped this to provide some relief to the locals. It may be small relief, but its impact is bigger.