Unimaginable Flood in Jarailtola Village Due to Encroachment and Poor Road Construction under Assam Mala Project

In a shocking turn of events, what no one ever imagined has happened in Jarailtola Village, under the Borkhola Constituency. This area has long been accustomed to annual floods, usually caused by the overflowing Jatinga River. However, this time, the cause of the disaster lies with the people themselves. Illegal encroachment of the Sinjuri River has reduced it to the size of a canal, unable to manage heavy rainfall.

On top of this, negligence during the Assam Mala project has worsened the situation. For years, the roads in this area have been in terrible condition. The preparation work for the Assam Mala project left the road in disarray, with blocked or nonexistent drains. With nowhere for the water to flow, it has entered low-lying homes, flooding them in just one night.

Livestock, including goats, cows, and poultry, have drowned, and nearly 50 families have been severely affected, many of them from underprivileged backgrounds.

To make matters worse, a large tree, wrapped in electrical wires, is on the verge of falling. If it collapses, it is likely to bring down the power lines with it, further complicating the situation. As expected, the village is without electricity, and no one knows when it will be restored.

The affected side of the village has never witnessed such a disaster before. Many families have had to leave their homes and are now living on the roads, while others have sought shelter in the homes of neighbours that remain unaffected.

Sebok Paul, President of the Silchar Jayantiya Sadak Sanskar Mancha, has been voicing concerns over the poor condition of the roads for many years. He believes this flooding is due to two major reasons: illegal encroachment of the Sinjuri Nala and the negligence during road construction under the Assam Mala project, which has blocked the drainage system.

He commented, “The Assam Mala project used unscientific methods in road construction, leading to blocked drains. Now, the water has no way to pass and has engulfed the area, affecting many families.”

Usually, the southern part of the village bears the brunt of the floods, while the northern side remains relatively untouched. However, this time, the situation has reversed. The north side of Jarailtola Village, which typically escapes such disasters, has been severely affected, leaving residents in shock as they witness unprecedented devastation in their homes and surroundings.

Despite the devastation, the silver lining is that no casualties have been reported, and everyone is safe for now. However, the situation remains dire as the village grapples with the aftermath of this unexpected flood.