Dibrugarh: More than 40 families were affected after a crucial embankment was washed away by the raging waters of the Buri Dehing River in Dibrugarh during the recent wave of floods.
Although the floodwaters have now subsided, residents of Bongamor Block Gaon continue to face severe hardships due to the unavailability of potable drinking water.
Bongamor Block Gaon is located in the Khowang Legislative Assembly constituency of Dibrugarh. Every year, residents suffer during the flood season.
Most of the houses were damaged as floodwaters entered the village. People are still grappling with multiple challenges in the aftermath.
“Our cropland was destroyed due to the recent wave of floods. Every year, our crops are damaged. The crucial embankment that was built to control floods was washed away into the river. We are facing a severe drinking water crisis. No potable water is available. The floodwaters began to recede only after the weather improved,” said Binay Kalita, a resident of Bongamor.
He added, “Every year we face such damages. This year too, the flood arrived even before the monsoon. We depend on farming, but if this continues, we will face many problems.”
“The flood has just started. We don’t know what lies ahead in the coming days. Last year too, a crucial embankment was breached and water entered the village, causing problems for the residents. Every year, we face these recurring flood-related issues,” said another villager.
He further said, “We are not getting fodder for our cattle. The flood has severely affected them. Due to the shortage of fodder, we’ve had to let the animals roam around the village. We urge the concerned department to provide fodder for the animals.”
“We have distributed relief materials to the flood victims and set up camps for them. Now that the water has started to recede, people are gradually returning to their homes,” said an official.
The recent wave of floods affected seven revenue circles — Dibrugarh East, Dibrugarh West, Chabua, Moran, Tengakhat, Naharkatia, and Tingkhong.
A total of 96 villages were affected, impacting 24,432 people. The highest numbers were reported from Chabua (8,179), Tengakhat (4,932), and Dibrugarh West (3,362). With the water subsiding, those who had taken shelter in relief camps have started returning home.
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