|
Almost over
1, 50,000 families in the plains of Garo Hills in Meghalaya are
affected with recent flash flood. The continuous torrential rain
for over a week had created the situation and the backlash of
Brahmaputra water from Assam.
The three major rivers in the
district – Simsang, Ganol and Jingiram had swollen above the
danger level creating a pathetic situation mostly affecting the
Western parts of the plain belts, which comprises of Phulbari,
Rajabala, Singimari and parts of Mahendraganj and Ampati.
A total of over 120 villages were
affected in the West Garo Hills, and over more than 70 villages
on the other side of Simsang in South and East Garo Hills
remained cut off for over four days as the water was flowing
above danger level.
The flood
victims are camped at 10 relief camps and all necessary
facilities are being provided. The torrential rains started on July 25 and only stopped on August 2.
The water level is receding but the rainfall patter cannot be
predicted.
The
torrential rains also affected various parts of the Hills
region, in Tura town area; a major landslide occurred at
Rishipara on July 27 killing nine people from three families.
More than 70 houses were damaged in landslides in town. Almost
in the entire three districts the situation had created havoc
with landslides.
The Chief
Minister, D D Lapang assessing the flood situation on August 1
released Rs. 1 crore for the flood relief. He also toured
different areas of the district and made an aerial survey of the
plain belt areas.
He had
assured all necessary measures to rehab the flood victims. The
next of the deceased of those killed in the landslides were
given a total ex-gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each. The central
Government has been approached for the necessary release of
funds to tackles the situation.
Two MLA from
the affected area, Manirul Islam Sarkar and Saydullah Nongrum
has apprised the government on its failure to share the 10 per
cent for which the approved central government project on
embankment at Phulbari and Rajabala could not be materialized.
"Flood has been a continuous problem
in the area and Government should take all measures to see that
the embankment project was materialized" said Manirul Islam
Sarkar, the MLA from Phulbari area where mostly people were
affected.
The Chief
Minister has assured to see through that the embankment project
is materialized. It may be mentioned that the central government
has approved a total of Rs. 90 crore fro the project.
After 2004,
this is the worst flood the areas have witnessed.
Lost and
Damage
Three major
irrigation projects in Bamundanga, Selsella and Gorjhora in West
Garo Hills have been completely damaged. The cost is yet to be
ascertained. An estimated of over Rs. 4 crore Road and bridges
are damaged in West Garo Hills. Agriculture lost is yet to be
ascertaining, which is expected to be more than 3 crore. More
than 50,000 livestock and over 1, 30,000 poultry are
affected.
August
4, 2007
|
