WATCH | The Hungry River: A Frontline Views Documentary
A narrative of a neighborhood in despair as its folks have misplaced their land, houses, and livelihoods to the unforgiving waters of the Ganga in Samserganj block, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
| Video Credit score:
Reporting by Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay; Digicam by Jayanta Shaw; Modifying by Samson Ronald Ok.; Voice over Annie Thomas; Produced by Jinoy Jose P.
Rani Mandal of Natun Shibpur village in Samserganj block, Murshidabad district, had gone to take a shower within the river, when she observed it swirling menacingly. She had been residing within the area lengthy sufficient to know what that foretold, and he or she rushed again to her dwelling by the waterfront, however it was already too late. A video shot by a neighbour confirmed her home being swallowed by the river—like a legendary monster devouring its prey. All of it occurred so quick that Rani nearly managed to pull her mattress to security; every part else she owned went into the river.
On July 29, the erosion of the riverbank by the Ganga within the Samserganj area swept away at the very least 10 homes, rendering greater than 60 folks destitute. Since 2020, the folks of Samserganj have been residing in terror of the river, which has been altering its course and claiming a whole lot of homes, orchards, and farmlands that fall in its manner. This time, the toll was comparatively much less, folks mentioned. “There have been instances when greater than 100 dwellings have been misplaced to the river in a single fell swoop,” they claimed.
The vast majority of the folks within the affected space are extraordinarily poor and depending on the beedi trade. The vast majority of the lads are migrant employees, and many of the girls are engaged in binding beedis, which earns them a meagre Rs.178 for each 1,000 models. Their poverty makes their plight significantly poignant.
