Gopabandhunagar: A river is changing its course and eating into its banks every rainy season, posing a threat to a village. As monsoon gets active across the state, people of Ghagara village under Gopabandhu block in Mayubhanj district are worried over possible floods from Nalhua river.
“The river encroached about 6/7 meters into its banks by way of soil erosion during the rainy season last year. Many houses, big tress, bamboo bushes and many domestic animals were swept away by the swirling waters,” said locals.
Some 300 people of 42 families living in Badhudisahi of Pasuda panchayat face flood threat from the river. Since the weatherman has predicted good rainfall this monsoon, the residents are fearing for the worst.
Residents recalled the horrible situation they had faced during the cyclone Phailin. The river overflowed and flood waters surged into the villages all of a sudden. They found themselves marooned. Many families left the village for upland areas. Since then, they have been living in their shanties in the open fields.
Two villagers, Surendra Baghada and Benudhar Baghada, expressed their grave concern, saying, ”If floods hit our village like last year, the waters will take away the houses and engulf our entire village. The authorities should have carried out stone-packing along the banks. If stone-packing is carried out on a war-footing, our sahi (locality) will be saved.” Other villagers too said stone-packing must be done on an urgent basis to save their lives.
Apart from the threat from the river, residents like Basanti Baghada, Chandrakanti Baghada and Nanda Andhari pointed out several other difficulties they faced in their daily life, like lack of sufficient drinking water. They are concerned over the alleged lack of help from people’s representatives to overcome their miserable conditions. “At election time, they come calling with loads of promises, but nothing happens after the elections,” they rued.
Villagers said the locality has only one tube well and one solar powered water project. The water from these are not enough for their daily needs. Electricity has been a long-held dream for them. “All villages have been electrified, except our village. We are living in the dark. We do not know when our dream will be fulfilled,” they rued.
“Now, our priority is stone-packing of Nalhua banks. If that’s not done, we all will be swept away,” they said.
Sarpanch Maina Tudu, block chairperson Anju Khandei and BDO Bibekananda Sahu said stone-packing of the river banks will be carried out soon. PNN
