Solving flood problem

Flood and erosion are regular phenomena in Assam. With the advent of monsoon, it rains cats and dogs incessantly for weeks every year. Floods and erosions pose an alarming threat to many districts of the State wreaking havoc to the rural populace and their livestock as well. Their misery beggars description.

Quite regrettably, the government is seen to be very prompt and active only during this natural calamity. All the political leaders appear to be much concerned about the afflicted people and the loss they suffer. The government seeks hefty amount as flood relief package from the Centre to tide over the aftermath crisis triggered by the calamity.

I fail to understand why the government awaits the onset of the monsoon to ask the Centre for financial assistance even when it has had bitter experience of the irreparable damage caused by floods and erosions for long. The populace of the State can hardly see any promptness and serious concern on the part of the government needed for the permanent solution to this perennial problem. This year, flood-induced fatalities have been reported to be more than a hundred. Undoubtedly, the government will figure out ways to help the victims get out of the clutches of the aftermath crisis that they have been enduring, but it can in no way replenish the void created by the loss of their near and dear ones. However, it's not too late and what the government needs to do now is to make course correction. No government should let a problem remain a problem simply in order to ward off some of its own problems. Hope, good sense will prevail.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok, Jorhat