Bordering villages in Katigorah jeopardised by flood; without fodder domesticated animals begin to die

May 22: The ongoing flood in Cachar has resulted in devastating effect all throughout the district. The flood situation in Katigorah has assumed a heart wrenching scenario. The entire populace of areas like Kinnokhal, Noropati, Sadirkhal, Khelma, Mohadevpur, Fisca, Pirnagar etc. in Katigorah constituency in Cachar have been submerged. Around 50 villages (small & large) are passing their days over there in great distress. Unable to find any alternative, many have taken shelter in the border roads along with their domesticated animals. The primary livelihood of the people of these bordering village are cultivation and animal rearing.

Members of Seemanta Chetana Mancha, Silchar Nagar Samity went there to distribute cooked food (khichudi) and other relief items among the flood affected people. The houses of many people of that area are fully submerged in flood water. The people of that areas have got relief items through the local dealer. “They do have food grains, but the major problem is that these people does not have any place to cook as the entire area has been inundated. Moreover, they are facing immense trouble with their domesticated animals,” said Ratnadip Paul, a member of the Seemanta Chetana Mancha, Silchar Nagar Samity who went there to distribute food items.

Dr Debotosh Chakraborty, General Secretary of Seemanta Chetana Mancha, Silchar Nagar Samity said, “We were indeed grief stricken to see the miserable plight of the people and the animals there in the bordering villages of Katigorah. The people there requested us to provide them cooked food as they don’t have any means to cook as almost the entire area is submerged. Moreover, maximum of them have taken shelter in the border roads. Their domesticated animals are also along with them. Hundreds of cows, goats, ducks etc. are devoid of food. The cows, especially have become very weak and are on the verge of death. No fodder for these animals were provided by the administration. if the district administration does not make immediate intervention, then these animals will gradually start to die.”

Narrating the ordeal of the people of that area, Dr Chakraborty further said, “These people are mainly cultivators. However, as their lands are totally flooded, they will be in great financial crunch. Moreover, if they start loosing their domesticated animals, then when the flood water recedes, more misfortune in the form of poverty would fall upon them. It is very difficult even for our organisation to manage fodder at such a huge quantity for these animals unless and until the administration comes to their aid.”