Jalpaiguri, Oct. 12 -- As Durga Puja approaches, festive preparations are underway across the region. But in Baman Danga-Tundu Tea Garden in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri district, residents remain haunted by the devastating floods of October 5 last year, which claimed 11 lives, including three children. A year later, grief persists, while fears of another disaster continue to grow.
Following heavy rainfall on the night of October 4, floodwaters from the Jaldhaka River inundated the area in the early hours of October 5. Large stretches, including Model village, were submerged, while several houses in the Tundu division were damaged by the surging waters of the Gathia River. A bridge was also destroyed, severing connectivity with Nagrakata.
For Akash Nayek of Model village, the tragedy remains an unbearable memory. He lost his wife, Manju, his five-year-old daughter, Nibritti, and his two-and-a-half-year-old son, Nibansh.
"I try to keep myself occupied with work. But the faces of my wife and children are always before my eyes. I cannot sleep at night," Akash said.
Prakash Munda, another tea garden resident, lost his two-month-old baby in the floods. "My wife has still not been able to return to normal life. We constantly live in fear that a disaster of the same magnitude could strike again," he said.
The trauma continues to affect survivors. Some workers have sought employment in other tea gardens, while even ordinary rainfall triggers panic among residents.
Recently, several workers reportedly left their duties at Kurti Tea Garden when rain began. "I leave my young children at home and go to work. The moment I hear rain or thunder, my heart starts pounding with fear," said tea worker Sunita Gope.
Meanwhile, left-wing labour leader Sikandar Majhi alleged that the damaged embankment along the Gathia River has not been permanently repaired.
"Near Tanatani Bridge, only minor repairs have been carried out along a stretch of around 300 metre. If another major disaster strikes, the embankment may not withstand it," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.