Flood and erosion render thousands homeless in Sonitpur district

A CORRESPONDENT

TEZPUR: Thousands of people have been rendered homeless in Tezpur, Borsola and Dhekiajuli LACs under Sonitpur district due to havoc caused by flood and erosion. For years, flood and erosion have been causing untold miseries to thousands of people in Sonitpur district, particularly those living on the banks of the tributaries of the mighty Brahmaputra, namely the Gabharu, Jiabharali, Dipota and Belsiri.

These rivers have already eroded thousands of bighas of crop land, schools, temples and houses. The people of Tezpur, Barchala and Dhekiajuli LACs in Sonitpur district, particularly those who living on the banks of the rivers Brahmaputra, Jiabharali, Gabharu and Belsiri, have expressed their strong resentment over the alleged indifferent attitude of the government and even the local public representatives towards this serious issue.

According to information available, the Jiabharali River has flooded Bhumuraguri, Kacharipam, Napam, Bhurachapari, Bhujkowa, Panchmile, Gotlong and Rajgar villages and as a result, all the paddy fields, schools, temples have been submerged. Besides the flood, the people of these villages under the Bhumuraguri and Rajgar panchayats have been facing the problem of severe erosion caused by the Brahmaputra and Jiabharali rivers, due to which they have been forced to shift to safer places.

In greater Tezpur town, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Samadhi Xetra, Kolibari, Bhairabi Mandir area, Beltika, Gereki, Marabharali area, Rudra Pad, Debising ghat, Jahajghat, Gandhi Ashram , ITI Tezpur, Lalmati and Cotton Road under ward no. 1 have been submerged by the flood water of the Brahmaputra. Likewise, in Burhachapori area under Tezpur LAC, many families have been affected and they are taking shelter in safer places.

Moreover, the outskirts of Tezpur town areas like Bihaguri, Puthimari, Jarani, Rangamati, Nij-Bihaguri, Bhalukexua, Goshaighat, Bardubia, Jakaruachuk, Pithakhwa, Gerua and Balikhuti, along with large agricultural areas have been flooded.

On the other hand, the flood water of Brahmaputra River in Barchala LAC in Sonitpur district has caused severe erosion in 1.no Chitalmari, 2 no. Chitalmari, Singri, No. 1 Bochasimalu, 2 no. Bochasima, Phatasimalu, Morichuti and adjoining areas. Many families have been rendered homeless and they are taking shelter in highland areas.

The Belsiri River under Dhekiajuli revenue circle in Sonitpur district has also caused severe erosion. Moreover, due to the unabated erosion and floods following heavy rains, the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and the villages located in its vicinity under the Dhekiajuli revenue circle in Sonitpur district have been facing a serious threat.

While exchanging views in this regard, organizations like KMSS, AASU, ABSU and AJYCP said that they have been demanding the Centre as well as the State Government since years to declare the flood and erosion problem as a national problem. "We urge the government to do a thorough study and find a permanent solution to the flood and erosion problem," said leaders of the organizations.

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