Fresh Jatinga River Erosion Puts 10 Houses at Risk in Assam's Purandarpur Village
In a distressing development, fresh erosion by the Jatinga river has placed at least 10 houses on the brink of collapse at Purandarpur village, located under the Borkhola assembly constituency in Assam's Cachar district. This new threat emerges even as eight families, who lost their homes to erosion in 2024, continue to await compensation or rehabilitation, according to local residents.
Residents Voice Desperation Over Unmet Promises
Rehana Begam, an elderly resident of Purandarpur, expressed her anguish on Saturday, highlighting the prolonged suffering of those affected by the 2024 erosion. "During the erosion in 2024, we failed to save a single thing from our house. For the past two years, we have been living in a temporary shelter that we built on our own. Despite submitting several applications, no government authority has come forward with compensation or rehabilitation measures," she stated.
Her testimony underscores a critical failure in post-disaster support, leaving vulnerable families to fend for themselves in makeshift accommodations without official aid.
Imminent Danger Looms for Additional Households
The current erosion crisis is centered in the same village under the Chesri gram panchayat, where the Jatinga river's relentless bank erosion now threatens another 10 houses. Residents fear a repeat of the 2024 devastation if immediate preventive actions are not taken.
Rupali Das, another local resident, emphasized the community's efforts to seek intervention. "We have drawn the attention of local and district administration and requested preventive measures. We hope some steps will be taken soon," she said, reflecting a mix of urgency and cautious optimism.
Broader Context and Administrative Challenges
This situation highlights ongoing environmental and administrative challenges in Assam's flood-prone regions:
- Recurring Erosion: The Jatinga river's erosion patterns have become increasingly destructive, affecting multiple villages over the years.
- Compensation Delays: The eight families from the 2024 incident represent a broader issue of delayed or absent government response to natural disasters.
- Infrastructure Vulnerability: Many homes in Purandarpur are built near riverbanks, making them susceptible to erosion during monsoon seasons and heavy rainfall.
Local authorities face mounting pressure to address both the immediate threat to the 10 endangered houses and the unresolved rehabilitation needs of previous victims. The lack of timely action could exacerbate humanitarian and economic hardships in the region.
Call for Swift Government Action
Residents and community leaders are urging the district administration to implement erosion control measures, such as embankment reinforcement or riverbank stabilization projects. Additionally, there is a strong demand for:
- Expedited Compensation: Immediate financial aid for the eight families still awaiting support since 2024.
- Preventive Strategies: Long-term solutions to mitigate future erosion risks in Purandarpur and surrounding areas.
- Rehabilitation Plans: Structured resettlement programs for displaced families to ensure sustainable living conditions.
As the Jatinga river continues to erode its banks, the plight of Purandarpur's residents serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proactive disaster management and compassionate governance in Assam's vulnerable communities.
