Stand by the flood victims

Considering the magnitude of the calamity there is no scope to take it lightly

It is quite disturbing to note that the sufferings of the flood-affected people in the northeastern districts have aggravated due to inadequate relief materials. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, at least 2.56 lakh people belonging to 51,020 families of 314 villages have been hit by the floods caused by incessant rain and an onrush of water from neighbouring countries. The shortage of fresh drinking water has become acute, raising the chances of diarrhoea outbreak. Sanitation has become yet another problem in these areas.  

District administration sources said they had sufficient relief materials to take care of the flood-affected people. But there is apprehension that problems could become more serious if the floods persist. In fact, floods have exposed the people to immense sufferings. The prolonged nature of the deluge is the main reason behind the sufferings. The area under review has remained under water for over a month. Thousands of people have been badly affected by the flooding. Many of the victims are confined to their homes. Those who could not stay at home went to flood shelters. Life in flood shelters is nightmarish to some people. Considering the magnitude of the calamity there is no scope to take it lightly. 

Encouragingly, the district and other local administration along with political parties have been very active in reaching succour to the affected people. Still, many who took shelter in flood shelters are exposed to various problems. Fortunately no allegation of mismanagement of relief materials or funds has been reported as yet. This is early monsoon and if the rains continue to pound like this there is hardly any chance of significant improvement of the flood situation there. More areas may go under floodwater.

The situation indicates that floods may hit many areas of the country this year. In that case adequate preparation will have to be taken for facing such a calamity. Advance preparation can mitigate sufferings of the likely victims. What are needed now is adequate relief materials, cash money, medical trams with medicines and water purifying tablets for the flood victims. Providing relief for the flood-stricken people is not the only solution. Scores of people are sitting idle without any job for about a month. If the deluge prolongs, it will force them to remain jobless for many more days. The relevant authorities should think how these people can be involved in income generating works. After the recession of floodwaters, post-flood rehabilitation measures will have to be taken by the relevant authorities.

 

Stand by the flood victims

Considering the magnitude of the calamity there is no scope to take it lightly

It is quite disturbing to note that the sufferings of the flood-affected people in the northeastern districts have aggravated due to inadequate relief materials. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, at least 2.56 lakh people belonging to 51,020 families of 314 villages have been hit by the floods caused by incessant rain and an onrush of water from neighbouring countries. The shortage of fresh drinking water has become acute, raising the chances of diarrhoea outbreak. Sanitation has become yet another problem in these areas. District administration sources said they had sufficient relief materials to take care of the flood-affected people. But there is apprehension that problems could become more serious if the floods persist. In fact, floods have exposed the people to immense sufferings. The prolonged nature of the deluge is the main reason behind the sufferings. The area under review has remained under water for over a month. Thousands of people have been badly affected by the flooding. Many of the victims are confined to their homes. Those who could not stay at home went to flood shelters. Life in flood shelters is nightmarish to some people. Considering the magnitude of the calamity there is no scope to take it lightly. Encouragingly, the district and other local administration along with political parties have been very active in reaching succour to the affected people. Still, many who took shelter in flood shelters are exposed to various problems. Fortunately no allegation of mismanagement of relief materials or funds has been reported as yet. This is early monsoon and if the rains continue to pound like this there is hardly any chance of significant improvement of the flood situation there. More areas may go under floodwater. The situation indicates that floods may hit many areas of the country this year. In that case adequate preparation will have to be taken for facing such a calamity. Advance preparation can mitigate sufferings of the likely victims. What are needed now is adequate relief materials, cash money, medical trams with medicines and water purifying tablets for the flood victims. Providing relief for the flood-stricken people is not the only solution. Scores of people are sitting idle without any job for about a month. If the deluge prolongs, it will force them to remain jobless for many more days. The relevant authorities should think how these people can be involved in income generating works. After the recession of floodwaters, post-flood rehabilitation measures will have to be taken by the relevant authorities.