A delegation led by CPIML Central Committee Member Bibek Das visited the flood-hit areas of Barpeta and Nagaon districts on June 27 and 28 accompanied by AISA Assam President Subrat Talukdar, AIPWA state Secretary Mrinalini Devi and local leader Bharati Devi.
The team visited Dangarpar, Shukmanah and Medhikuchi in Barpeta district and Raha, Phulguri Garhmur, Petbaha and other areas under Raha circle in Nagaon district. The large areas of paddy field, agricultural land, properties and houses in the two districts were almost destroyed by the floods. Many people are taking shelter in camps or on the roads.
The unexpected rise in water has affected 85 households in the village of Dangarpar. About 10 houses have been destroyed completely, rice stores of all families have been submerged, fish from fish ponds have gone out and valuable trees and plants have fallen down. The main road leading to the village has become like large ponds in three places. People's daily livelihoods have been completely stopped.
The flood victim of Medhikuchi village said the water from Bhutan Kourichu Dam, which was built with the collaboration of Indian government, ruptured the embankment of Pahumara River and it is the sole factor responsible for the devastation of Medhikuchi village. The villagers have been demanding for the construction of the old embankment since long time but the government had not paid any attention to their repeated requests for the embarkment. The 22 families were instantly destroyed. Hundreds of cows and broilers were washed away. Coconut and coconut trees were destroyed and many families were damaged. Everyone's fields are under water.
The floods cut off the road about 50 meters from Phulguri to Deobali in Nagaon districts and created a beach-like pond about 50 feet deep. About 50 houses in the area were submerged instantly. Cattle and goats were drowned and abundant lemon crops in the area were severely damaged. One 20-year-old Arun Konar had to embrace death .
The flood victims said the situation was caused by the release of water from the Kapili dam.
Those who have lost their homes, land and farms have no way of returning to their homes for the next three months. Because (a) it will rain throughout the monsoon season. (b) There is no possibility of immediate repair or reconstruction of roads or dams which have collapsed, consequently those areas have no choice but to remain flooded. (c) In many cases, the boundaries of individual lands have disappeared and lands are completely inundated.
The floods have completely destroyed commercial crops like fruits or vegetables including coconut, lemon, etc. Livestock were damaged. The fish came out of the ponds. The grain in the barns were destroyed too.
The people in these districts have lost their lands and property and are almost destitute and homeless. CPIML has demanded from the Assam administration for the adequate assistance to the flood victims for three months and for complete rehabilitation after the flood waters subside.
However, the people who are sheltering in camps or on the roads in this area had received only two days of food out of 9 days, in the form of rice, dal and salt. They are not getting yet pure drinking water, mosquito nets, biscuits, mustard oil, baby food, vitamins etc. The tarpaulins supplies to them by the administration to make roofs in the Phulguri area of Nagaon are of poor quality and are likely to crack if it rains heavily again. The Chief Minister only blamed government officials to hide his inaptitude when he said that there is sufficient fund and the distributors are stingy in giving it. In other words, according to the Chief Minister, the DC or the lower level officers and employees are not giving the flood relief well. But it is not true and fact is that the state government has not allotted enough funds. Without immediate rehabilitation schemes, thousands of homeless and landless people will be forced to migrate and this will create another serious problem.
The CPIML State Committee and AIPWA in Assam has demanded that:
- As per the Disaster Management Manual provide rice, pulses, mustard oil, potatoes, onions and vitamin rich food as well as baby food, adequate tarpaulins (of good quality), light, clothes, firewood for 3 months to all flood victims in camps, on the roads.
- As soon as the water dries up, provide five bundles of tin and Rs. 50,000 in cash to each flood victim.
- NIPCO and the government should provide compensation of at least Rs. 10 lakh and above to each flood victim family within 6 months according to damage.
- Regular provision of doctors and medicines in the camps.
- Waive all debts of people in flood affected areas.
