TURA, Oct 22: For a population of 32,000 people, over half of who live in the plains, the fear of water is understandable. After all, this is one of the most-flooded regions in the state where floods are dreaded for its silent killer moves.
“This has been the first year that we have not witnessed any major flood damage; otherwise it’s an annual affair. The worst in recent years was in 2019 when the overflowing Brahmaputra converged with the Jinjiram River and left a lot of damage. For the first time in many years the flood waters remained for almost two months in most of the low-lying areas,” recalls Zinnal Hoque, a schoolteacher by profession.
The flood waters severely impacted the main route between Rajabala-Hallidayganj and Phulbari, damaging roads and people’s homes.
“We even lost a considerable number of cattle that were washed away by the floodwaters,” recalls Samath Islam who is a cattle trader from Rajabala.
According to locals from New Bhaitbari town, one of the most densely populated and minority-dominated places in Rajabala, the impact is felt most all along miles of low-lying land by the side of the river.
“Land is scarce for cultivation and residing, so most of us have no option but to take up dwelling by the riverside which is a big risk we take,” say some of the residents who reside along the char areas which in itself is a ticking bomb for a big wave.
Hundreds of people who reside in the villages of Gomaijora, Rajpur, Magurmari, Dasbari, Haripur, Nalbari, Bhodoba, Faisakhandi and Hallidanganj have been victims of the floods for several seasons.
“Government provides us with relief for days or even weeks in camps but that cannot compensate for the loss we incur in our homes,” they say, mentioning about the damage to their electrical goods, such as television sets, their wooden and steel furniture and other home appliances.
“What we cannot understand is that although the floodwaters affect us and also the neighbouring Assam region of Hat Singimari, yet the damage is always more on our side. Even repairs for roads and compensation take longer on our side,” rue a couple of former victims of the floods from Hallidayganj.
To manage the floods the government, both state and central, have erected multiple embankments, some of concrete and many more of earth fillings, but this has made little impact when the water levels rise.
“There are embankments at Garodubi and Faisakhandi, but they have proven to be temporary in nature. When the floodwaters come in, there is no stopping it. We are living witnesses to it,” mention some of the citizens of Bhaitbari.
A start reminder of its impact was felt on September 10 this year when backwaters flooded the Nayagaon SSA LP School, damaging furniture and other school items.