Villagers in Uttarakhands Rudraprayag District are living a life of misery even a year after falling victim to landslides and floods.
By Ashish Goel
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), Aug.15 : Villagers in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag District are living a life of misery even a year after falling victim to landslides and floods.
At least 12 villages are living in constant fear of losing their lives or houses during the day, as each one of them is highly vulnerable to natural disasters like landslides and cloudbursts.
Apart from the topographical disadvantages, the threat posed by natural calamities gives sleepless nights to them.
In 2006, the villagers of Dholteer and Panjana faced horrific destruction in terms of property and livestock loss.
Today, places like Dholteer, Panjana, Tilbada, Jakholi, Gadbu, Tiyuli, Mona, Kot Birla, Bharoda and Bhavana villages have been declared the worst affected.
Jagmohan Chand, a resident of Gohltir village, said: "We have nowhere to go. Last July, when a natural disaster occurred here, many ministers came here and assured us of constructing check-down bund at the earliest. We have also requested the Chief Minister, but to no avail."
"We are worried. We have no place to stay. Our children are scared. At anytime natural calamity can occur and our children can become victims of it," he added.
The District administration, however, claims that attempts are being made to provide succour in the most sensitive areas through disaster management initiatives.
D. Senthil Pandian, Rudraprayag's District Magistrate, said: "We have directed the scientists of geological department to undertake a survey to ascertain the houses that are unsafe and provide us its full report."
"We have planned to shift them to the Panchayat Bhavan, primary schools and inter colleges. Two of the families have already been shifted; they are residing in a primary school. We are doing it as a precautionary measure," he added.
The villagers say that much more needs to be done.
Mangal Singh, the village head of Panjana Village, said: "The administration has provided us with tents and some financial help. As per the official rules, rupees 25,000 has been given to the villagers whose houses were completely damaged. But it has flaws. If there are two married brothers, they will be given money for one house only. It will only lead to more problems."
ANI