GUWAHATI, Sept 28 � Although artificial flood waters have receded from the affected areas of Guwahati, for many the ordeal is yet to be over. As the nightmarish experience still haunts the people who faced the situation, many of them now are reviewing their decision to stay in such localities.
Although getting rented accommodations in prime localities of Guwahati is neither easy nor affordable, many residents of flood-hit areas are planning to move to comparatively safer locations.
Mala Das, who returned to her home in Anil Nagar, after spending three days in the rehabilitation camp, was in tears seeing the condition of her house. A part time domestic help, Mala and her two children were rescued on boats by the rescue workers. The flood waters, however, damaged all her belongings, including a television she bought last month.
�Sensing the water-logging, I had kept our clothes and the television set at a considerable height, but the entire house got totally inundated in the floods. This would be the worst Durga puja of my life, when my children have no good clothes to wear,� she said.
Sanjay Sarma, living in a rented accommodation in Nabin Nagar has already decided to move out of the locality. �For the past three years, I am facing the flash floods at least four to five times a year. The flood waters this time damaged my car, many electronic items, mattress etc. It is better to pay a little more and stay in a safer place,� he said.
Nayanmoni Deka and three of her friends, staying as paying guests in Rajgarh were stranded on the road for an entire day. �We had exams next morning and staying in a hotel was also not an option for me and my friends. Finally, a local guardian of my friend came to help us. The order from the district administration to cancel and reschedule the examination was also a major relief,� she added.
Though assurance has come from the administration that the situation would improve by the next monsoons, the residents are not convinced. �Every year they give us assurances, but the condition is worsening with the passing years,� said Manas Choudhury, a local of Anil Nagar.
