Erosion caused by Lali River at Jonai sub-division in easternmost Dhemaji district of Assam is posing serious threat to riverine villages of Bahir-Jonai area under the district.
The unabated erosion of the river – a major tributary of mighty Brhamaputra is coming nearer to Bera-Milan, Bera Bengali, Tari Majgaon, and Kerker villages and eroded a long portion of the river dyke.
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Thus, erosion of Lali River griped several acres of land during last three months and rendered 30 families of the riverine villages homeless.
A long portion of the dyke on the right bank has been washed away by the first wave of flash flood this year and created havoc in the nearby villages.
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The consequent erosion of Lali River has dispersed more than 30 families so far.
About 19 families of Tari-Majgaon and Bera Milan are presently taking shelter in a temporary relief camp at Bera Chaporti LP School, while 11 other families of Bera Bengali are living with the belongings on the river dyke.
Talking to this correspondent, a group of affected families said that despite repeated pleas, both the Centre and the State Governments have ignored the problems of the people.
“I was surviving four member family by running a shop at Bera Chapori tiniali,” exclaimed one of the relief inmates Umesh Chetiya of Tari Majgaon village.
“But turbulent stream of Lali river speedily come nearer and gripped by land and properties on the night of August 12,” he added.
“Now, I have lost my sweet home, the shop besides other properties on my land plot,” Umesh also said.
Like Umesh, other inmates of the camp including Dharmendra Gogoi, Jay Prakash Yadav, Raj Kumari Barman and Gobin Saikia, who have lost their sweet homes by the erosion and household properties have expressed their grief and looking for the government’s help.
Locals say that recurring flood and erosion have crippled the rural economy of the district, but strangely enough, the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye.
They further alleged that State’s Water Resources department and Mising Autonomous Council had erected some RCC spars on the river bed to overcome the problem, but in vain as these were not installed in a scientific way.
“The elected leaders including local MLA and councilor of Mising Autonomous Council have assured relief and rehabilitation measures for the erosion- affected families. We are now eagerly waiting for their help,” rued the sufferers.