Bholarbhita village, which had 300-odd households, has lost almost 80% of its land in the floods. Houses in the village, located close to the Jinjiram river, were swept away by strong currents. Erosion and silt deposits have changed the route of the river which now passes through Bholarbhita.
Many other hamlets have suffered a similar fate.
"We moved to safer grounds once we saw the water level rising," said one of the villagers. Two days after the floodwaters receded, the victims discovered that the entire village was washed away.
"Nothing is left. We have lost everything," said a woman.
In the Chibinang area, eight people lost their lives in the recent flash floods and the death toll in the Garo Hills has increased to 52 so far. Chief minister Mukul Sangma and speaker Abu Taher Mondal visited the affected area on Sunday. The villagers were seeking immediate relief and were demanding a stronger embankment.
The plain belt of the Garo Hills is prone to floods. "To build a stronger embankment in the plains of West Garo Hills, we have to relocate the people who live adjacent to the river. We have to convince people to live in safer areas so that the embankment can be built," said Mukul.
The old embankment in the area has been breached at several places. Sangma is of the view that a large number of people have to be shifted for building a stronger embankment, which is a must.
"We witness floods every year. But this time, it is different. Luckily, we escaped," said a village elder.
The chief minister toured the entire plain belt of West Garo Hills — Bhaitbari, Rajabala, Phulbari and Chibinang and Mahendraganj, Kalaichar, Lukaichar in South West Garo Hills. He promised that relief materials would be made available to the affected people.
On the other hand, many flood victims complained that they have not received adequate relief. The CM has ordered a probe by the deputy commissioner to look into the matter.
Sangma has also asked the block officials to meticulously assess the damage to households in all the affected blocks.
http://ift.tt/1lfWBZg View,Speaker,natural disaster,Deputy commissioner,Chief Minister
Stay updated on the go with The Times of India’s mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.
No comments:
Post a Comment