Lack of relief killed flood victim: FB

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 22: A sixty-year-old flood victim Daroki Mandal who was confined at his home due to inundation by floodwaters for a few days died owing to lack of relief, Forward Bloc leaders alleged. The incident took place at Dakshin Vakuria village in Harischandrapur block II where the entire area was inundated when the Fulohar river broke its banks a few days ago. While the district president of FB Mr Ajit Saha claimed that the death was due to ‘starvation’, the SDO Chanchal Mr Debashis Sarkar said that he did not have such information from the block development officer. Mr Sarkar also told reporters that there was no question of starvation death but he would look into the matter. The FB leaders claimed that Daroki, an agriculture labourer, was living atop a temporary platform (macha) which was constructed at his house when it was completely submerged. In the last few days, the elderly man used to eat by begging food from others because they could not earn their livelihood because of the floods, his wife Mrs Shanti Mandal informed the FB leaders. He suddenly collapsed while staying on the platform, she told FB leaders, seeking help to arrange for last rites. The flood situation remained unchanged in north and southern part of Malda district because the two rivers Fulohar and Ganga are still flowing above the ‘extreme danger level’ (EDL). The administrative officials and irrigation engineers fear that situation may turn critical if water level is increased due to fresh rainfall in the upper catchments. Though the administration claimed that relief material had been allotted to the concerned flood affected blocks, the flood victims and local panchayat leaders alleged that many flood victims did not get relief on time. The block officials has started an inquiry to find out genuine flood victims at Gopalpur in Manikchak to allot tarpaulin sheet to them where 750 families have been affected after the Ganga breached a dwarf embankment. “Only genuine flood victims will be getting the costly tarpaulin sheet (Rs 1000 per piece) after finalisation of inquiry report,” said a senior administrative officer. Many people have been shifting to safer areas in Gopalpur gram panchayat area after inundation on Wednesday late evening.