Flood in Silchar raises a pertinent question- is the city about to collapse? Prof.Parthankar Choudhury

May 21: With torrential rainfall spanning over a couple of days, the water level of all major rivers in Barak Valley crossed danger level. However, on Saturday though the water level of Barak was decreasing, yet flood water has enter into various parts of Silchar town and the level seems to increase since Friday night. Especially, areas adjacent to Rangirkhal, Singirkhal and Longaikhal are experiencing huge problem as the houses there were submerged. However, a question which arises here is why are these khals of Silchar gets filled up so soon and gives rise to flood? way2barak interacted with Prof. Parthankar Choudhury, former Head, Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University and a renowned environmentalist. In a candid talk, Prof Choudhury divulged issues which needs serious thought.

way2barak: Sir, this year the water in many areas have rushed inside houses and the level of water is also rising inside the town quite fast. Since Friday afternoon, flood water engulfed Bilpar, Chamragudam, Mondir Dighi, Chandicharan Road Public School Lane, Shyamananda Ashram Road, Netaji School Road, Kanakpur, Madhurband, Sashan Road and some other areas. Water has also entered into many lanes and by-lanes of the adjacent areas. Is the encroachment of major khals of Silchar responsible for this flooding?

Prof. Choudhury: Traversing through the mainland of urban Silchar, there exist three main khals. Rangirkhal, Singirkhal and Longaikhal. These unguarded drains (Khals, as commonly called) were constructed approx. 60-70 years back from now for carrying the runoff waters from the then small Silchar town. Citizens aged 60 or above might recollect the fact that during those days, most of the houses had Kachha latrines, where the municipality sweepers (commonly called ‘Nagas’) used to clear the night-soil filled pots (mustard oil tins were used in kachha latrines) at the wee hours of the morning, each day, and the collected tins were drained off in these khals. This continued even till 1980’s.

way2barak: An an environmentalist and a teacher, have you conducted any such survey of this issue?

Prof. Choudhury: In course of a recent field study on Disaster Management along with master students of the varsity, we had to walk along some of these Khals. It needs mention that all the three khals, Singirkhal, Longaikhal and Rangirkhal carry all the drained off wastes from major parts of the urban Silchar and can be compared with the major Vena Cava (veins) of our body. Now, what happens when the veins of our body get blocked? you are at risk for a heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism or even death. Same is the situation for urban Silchar as well. As of now, the city is about to collapse!

way2barak: Sir, during the last two days,we have found that water in these khals of Silchar are flowing along with huge quantity of garbage like thermocol. Is this phenomenon also resposible for chocking of khals and thereby causing flood?

Prof. Choudhury: All the drains, we have visited, were seen fully loaded with plastic water bottles, pieces of thermocol sheets and plates, disposable plastic glasses, polythene bag and the likes! One can ask, ‘Has the copies of the ‘Plastic Waste Management Rule (2016)’ not reached the table of concerned department? If so, for societal benefit, why they are so much indifferent?

Not just Plastic and Polythenes; the left out space of the drains were filled by the luxuriant growth of water hyacinth. And, apart from ‘Germani–pena’ (as is commonly called) and plastics, at several places, it has been observed that from both sides, the khals are encroached by the netizens, where the rear portion of houses are drain facing. On a regular basis they encroach upon 6-8 inches of the drains, accumulate household wastes there, and then give a temporary fence (with the intension of extending it further in the next year), and the process is continuing unabated.

way2barak: It is alleged that public has encroached these khals at various places. So what’s your opinion on this?

Prof. Choudhury: The extent of encroachment has been so severe at some places that even on the portion of area, which is the drain (or Khal), people have constructed Pucca Latrine, but without safety tank. The concept of safety tank literally does not exist here. Hume pipes coming out from those washrooms directly drains nightsoil in the Khals. This is not just observed in a single house… rather is a considered as the law of the land! This intrusion mentality is observed almost everywhere in the city, be it footpath, public spaces or the neighbour’s land!

As the reports are pouring in that although water level in the River Barak (on 18^th & 19^th May, ’22) after reaching the highest level of 21.38 has remained steady, or reducing at a slow pace, fresh areas like Public School Road, Radhamadhab Road, Bilpar etc are getting freshly inundated. The reason for this secondary infection of the city as diagnosed above needs urgent intervention.

way2barak: So can the government/ administration invoke the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to take action against such erring public?

Prof. Choudhury: Provisions as contained in the Disaster Management Act, 2005 are strong enough to pacify/ address/ resolve the illegitimate claim (unjust greed) in a single go within no time. For the benefit of larger section of the society, the Disaster Management authority has been empowered to take up such steps.

way2barak: So Sir, what is the way to get respite from this menace?

Prof. Choudhury: Even in the High court, petitions against Disaster Management Act are not paid any attention. For the benefit of larger section of the society, The obvious and most pertinent question is that if such stern step is taken, won’t there be any resistance from any corner? Can anyone assure that there will be wholehearted support from all influential corners? Can anyone assure that there won’t be any ‘inqilab’ type of slogans?

Unless such things are assured, What’s the alternate way out? what’s the remedy? Let the vena cava of our land get blocked, the city experience multiple attack, stroke, embolism or even death..!