With the onset of monsoon, hundreds of riverside villagers in the district have been spending sleepless nights as they are yet to get any respite from the endemic problem of flood.
With intermittent rains, the weak river embankment breaches creating flood in the locality every year and putting the villagers in immense trouble. The problem is basically in Sathilo, Sisua, Salar and Hurasahi villages under Bangalpur gram panchayat.
locals alleged that every year flood water enters into their agriculture field through the weak river embankment leading to huge crop loss and damages of houses and other properties. Many domestic animals also are killed during the flood.
locals alleged that crores of rupees were spent on strengthening the river embankment every year, but due to sub standard works on the Karandi river embankment, the flood problem is far from over. The Karandia river embankment (left) and the luna river embankment (right) are lying dilapidated from Sathilo to Dihabalarampur in last several years, but it is yet to be strengthened with spur packing.
luna-Karandia Island Unnayan Parisad president Amiya Jena informed that in 1992, a stone packing work in the luna river embankment near Kulasahi had been undertaken. But as the authority failed to complete the stone packing work, the flood water flew through the Karandia river creating flood.
The locals demanded closure of the Karandia river mouth and dredging of the luna river bed besides construction of a flood protection embankment on both sides of the two rivers.
According to the Water Resource department, steps are being taken to strengthen the weak river embankment of Karandia. "The department has planned to spend an estimated Rs 3.19 crore to strengthen the river embankment from Sathilo to Baspur, whereas an estimated Rs 22 lakh will be spent for strengthening river embankment near Hurasahi. Besides, an estimated Rs 4 crore will be spent for strengthening and spur packing at the embankment of luna river (right). Steps are afoot to start the work and the embankment and spur packing work will be completed before the flood," said an official.