Malda (West Bengal): Hundreds of families of Chinabazar, Durgaramtola, Balugram and Par Anupnagar in West Bengal's Malda district are living in tents after their houses were damaged by the devastating floods which were caused by Ganga last month.
The villagers are spending sleepless nights as rains lashed many villages of the districts adding to their woes.
Hundreds of villagers are reeling from the effects of the rising waters of the Ganga, among its other tributaries, which have affected their livelihoods.
Besides, paddy and vegetable crops over vast tracts of farmland have been submerged due to flood. Hundreds of hectares of paddy crops have been inundated.
The rising water levels have damaged embankments, roads, and culverts, among other constructions like houses, etc in the district.
Due to the flood, my studies have been stopped. We are facing a lot of problems as our house was washed away by the Ganga floods. I was preparing for the secondary examinations but now I am spending my days under the tents. Without study what I will do?" Zaheda, a student said.
ALSO READ: West Bengal's World war II period air base faces govt negligence
"We have been cut off and are facing the problem for the past several days, but the administration has not paid attention. There was no bedding or furnishing in the tents except a thin sheet of black polythene. We had to buy tarpaulin and thermocol to use as furnishing but when the rainwater started trickling into the tent, we had to cover it up," a local resident, Rabiul Seikh said.
"I have four children and I was educating them. Floodwaters washed away the dreams of my children and our farms are completely flooded. We are already struggling due to the COVID-19 lockdown. How will we recover from this?" he lamented.
"Only we know what problems we are facing. It is getting so difficult just now. Cooked rice is given to my family once a day and that’s something I should be thankful to the local administration. we are seeking help from the government. We are also requesting the government to provide us with some assistance that our children can study," he added.
Reportedly, the floods had hit the area a month ago and the affected people continue to wait for the compensation from the government.
