By Verghese V Joseph –
In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, several parts of Assam, one of the major North Eastern state of India is battling with one of the worst human tragedies of the deadly flood which affected massive destruction in 26 out of the total 33 districts of the State.
Seven more people were reported dead on Wednesday after drowning in floodwaters taking the state death toll to 66.
According to the flood reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), three persons drowned in flood waters in Morigaon district while two in Barpeta district and one each in Sonitpur and Golaghat district.
The Catholic churches, in collaboration with the other Christian organisations in the North East, have begun to involve with the Assam government and social service departments in providing relief work in the affected areas.
“Search, rescue and relief operations are priorities now. Ensuring safe drinking water is a major challenge. The social, economic and ecological costs of recent floods are huge, and the worst hit people are the poor especially the farmers and daily wage earners,” says, Rev. Fr. Philip Barla the parish priest of St. Theresa’s of Child Jesus Church, Ambagaon in Assam.
Standing crops have been destroyed, planting materials washed away, livestocks have been lost. One of the worst hit segments are the children and women.
“The flood water has submerged NH-15 – Doolahat PWD road and Pohumora-Pokonia road leaving the people cut off totally and the only means of travel is boat. Similarly, overflowing water of Meneha, Singia, Gabhoru and Bogolee have submerged a wide area affecting agriculture lands and fisheries. In North Lakhimpur Revenue Circle, six villages have been affected by the flood. The worst affected area in the revenue circle is West Telahi Gaon Panchayat affecting two PWD roads,” says Mrs. Bhagyawati Bhujyan from North Lakimpur of Assam.
“In North Lakhimpur, the Water Resources department has informed that water levels of Brahmaputra, Subansiri and Dikrong have been flowing above danger levels at various places in the district. Women are in difficult situation because they have are the ones taking care of the family, no firewood to cook. Children and old people are getting sick but no means of communication,” added Mrs. Bhujyan.
The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing above the danger-level mark. Inhabitants of 3376 villages, and more than 36 lakh people in 26 districts are experiencing the fury of nature. So far over 4000 people have been evacuated to safety.
Forced to leave their homes around 60,696 people are taking shelter in 480 relief camps. Besides the human population, the flood has also affected the wildlife in the various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. A major portion of the world famous Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is underwater forcing the wild animals to flee and take shelter on various highlands available.
Incessant rains and flood waters from Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers have flooded plain areas of Meghalaya as well; 16,400 households of 90 villages and 89,000 population are affected due to floods in Demdema, Selsella and Tikrikilla Blocks.
There is an alarming scarcity of safe drinking water and food materials in the affected areas. The government departments are doing their best, combating COVID-19 on one side and flood on the other side is a huge challenge.
In the past years too Assam had flood related tragedies however there were also NGO’s and Christian organisations to assist the administration in the mitigation of suffering. However this time the situation is different, many NGO’ are finding difficult to reach out to the affected people.
Increasing number of COVID-19 patients, lockdown restrictions, lack of sufficient resource with the NGO’s are some of the reasons for this tragedy. However, the need to speed up relief and rescue operation is an emergency and if not many more lives will be lost in the days to come.
According to Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe, secretary for NEIRBC Commission for Ecumenism, “With the flood and COVID-19 pandemic troubling Assam, it’s no wonder that worry and gloominess are rampant. And yet all is not lost and should never be, even in the face of all these calamities there are brave men and women who risk their own lives for God and for their fellow human beings; they belong to the government officials, the police personnel, the volunteers, the NGO workers”.
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalm 46). As the psalmist says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. And this hope leads us on,” he added