NOIDA: Some residents in sector 119 and 120 are providing drinking water to stray cattle – cows and buffaloes – by placing plastic drums on the side of the roads as few cattle died from dehydration in the area. Residents maintain stray cattle and dogs are finding it very difficult to get food and water during lockdown times with reports of stray dogs attacking birds coming in.Looking at this hazardous scene few residents took on the initiative to provide drinkable water to these animals by placing plastic water drums near their society for the consumption of cattle and dogs loose on the streets.“We have arranged drinking water for stray animals like cows and buffaloes so that they can get fresh drinking water to drink every day. For this, we have placed plastic drums on the side of the road and refill it with water once every day. We will also be displaying a board near the water arrangement soon so that others can pitch in and have requested RWAs of other sectors to make similar arrangements,” said Sanjay Nath a resident of Gaur Grandeur apartment sector 119.According to Nath, in the last two weeks about 10 -15 buffaloes have been starved to death from sectors 119, 120, Sarfabad and more. “On April 15 a dead cattle was seen lying between gate number 1 and 2 of Amrapali Platinum society in sector 119. Similar cases were reported from sector 122, Sarfabad and more. So we few residents of neighbouring societies have collectively decided to provide water and food on the side of the road of our apartment complexes for stray cattle who are dying of starvation and dehydration in this heat,” said Nath.Deepak Lalwani resident of Prateek Laurel apartment sector 120 urged the authorities to pay more attention to the problem. “During the Corona epidemic, I would urge the authorities to pay serious attention on the food and water crisis faced by stray animals in residential sectors. Although many social workers are trying to help in this cause, but more attention needs to be given as it’s a serious situation for strays. At least water arrangements for such animals should be made by authorities,” said Lalwani.According to Rishi Singh of sector 122, stray dogs and buffaloes are the worst sufferers during the lockdown period especially with local market and eateries all shut where they used to feed on leftover food from restaurant/ flats etc. “Now the situation is so harsh that dogs are seen killing pigeons and other birds for survival. Stray buffaloes are starving to death. Many such cases came to our notice from around our areas like Sarfabad, Sector 119 and Sorkha. Their corpses were found lying in the open until complaints were made,” said Singh.Meanwhile there are some residents who in their individual capacity have taken to feeding the birds and stray animals from the confines of the boundary wall of their homes or flat balconies.