Indians build their own lockdown barricades in the country's slums

Indians build their own lockdown barricades in the country's slums

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In homes that are cramped, stuffy and increasingly low on food, residents of Mumbai's huge Dharavi slum are struggling under India's nationwide lockdown.

In Dharavi, where an estimated one million people live, residents are stretching out meals and relying on donations. But anxiety has been building since the lockdown began on March 25.

"I used to feed my children when I went out for work, but now there is only sorrow and no work," said Najma Mohammad, who was employed at a garment shop that has closed. Her son and two daughters rely on food handouts from neighbours, she added.

. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
People stand in a line.

Dharavi, believed to be Asia's largest slum, is a tough place to be confined, and also one of the most vulnerable to the new coronavirus because of the density of its population and poor sanitation.

Hundreds of people sometimes share the same bathroom. Access to clean water is not guaranteed. Soap has become a luxury.

"Anything can happen. There are nine people in this room, all of us could be in danger," said migrant worker Namchand Mandal, who is from the northeastern state of Jharkhand.

. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
Health care workers conduct an inspection while asking residents who they live with and wether anyone is feeling unwell.

Dharavi has 138 reported cases so far, but experts fear that number will accelerate higher.

"I am really worried it is just a matter of time," virologist Shahid Jameel said of Mumbai's slums, which are home to an estimated 65% of the city's core population of around 12 million.

. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
Men wearing masks, look through the windows of a house.

Anxious residents have tied handkerchiefs or shirt sleeves around their faces in lieu of proper masks. Some have also barricaded alleyways using carts, bicycles and sticks. Signs warn outsiders to keep away.

Still, many residents say it is impossible to stay confined in small rooms, which are sometimes shared by day labourers who work different shifts.

. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
A man rides a scooter through a crowded market area.

Deep in the slums, people throng informal markets. Some adults kill time playing chess or watching videos on their cell phones. Children play cricket and cards.

One tailor opened his small shop early in the morning, saying he wanted to make a little money before police arrived later in the day to enforce the lockdown.

. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas
A man holds his ears while doing squats as part of a punishment imposed by the police, for breaking the lockdown.

Officers have punished lockdown violators by making them sit in the sun, do squats or by hitting them with sticks, according to a Reuters witness.

"It's very difficult. No one listens to us," said one police officer in Dharavi, adding that some bank employees shared special passes with friends so they could move around.

Mumbai police did not respond to a request for comment.

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Slideshow

Health workers walk through a slum as they conduct an inspection.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Health workers walk through a slum as they conduct an inspection.

Residents look on as a health workers arrive to stamp their hands, as part of an order to quarantine at home for 14-days, after a person living in the area tested positive for COVID-19.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Residents look on as a health workers arrive to stamp their hands, as part of an order to quarantine at home for 14-days, after a person living in the area tested positive for COVID-19.

A health worker writes the date that a man is ordered to quarantine at home until, on his hand, after a resident living in his area, tested positive for COVID-19.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A health worker writes the date that a man is ordered to quarantine at home until, on his hand, after a resident living in his area, tested positive for COVID-19.

A doctor wearing a hazmat suit and a face-mask, checks the temperatures of residents with an infrared thermometer.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A doctor wearing a hazmat suit and a face-mask, checks the temperatures of residents with an infrared thermometer.

A doctor conducts a swab test on a man, to check if he has the COVID-19.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A doctor conducts a swab test on a man, to check if he has the COVID-19.

Health workers are accompanied by policemen as they conduct an inspection.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Health workers are accompanied by policemen as they conduct an inspection.

Police officers march through a street in Dharavi.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Police officers march through a street in Dharavi.

A policeman wields his baton towards a man for breaking the curfew during the nationwide lockdown.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A policeman wields his baton towards a man for breaking the curfew during the nationwide lockdown.

Women and children cover their faces from a fumigation drive.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Women and children cover their faces from a fumigation drive.

People buy onions at a market.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

People buy onions at a market.

A girl looks on as she crosses a makeshift barricade set up to stop people from entering a narrow lane.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A girl looks on as she crosses a makeshift barricade set up to stop people from entering a narrow lane.

A woman sits on a ladder installed outside her house.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A woman sits on a ladder installed outside her house.

A group of boys look at their mobile phones.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A group of boys look at their mobile phones.

A motorbike and a piece of wood is used to block a lane.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A motorbike and a piece of wood is used to block a lane.

A man stands behind a makeshift barricade that was set up to stop people from entering an alley.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A man stands behind a makeshift barricade that was set up to stop people from entering an alley.

Men walk past a makeshift barricade.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Men walk past a makeshift barricade.

People play a game of chess, in front of a closed shop.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

People play a game of chess, in front of a closed shop.

People rest inside a catering shop.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

People rest inside a catering shop.

A goat chews on the stem of a banana plant outside a closed shop.
. Mumbai, India. Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

A goat chews on the stem of a banana plant outside a closed shop.