Flood victims stare at bleak future

While the ministers are busy with the by-elections, the flood-affected victims staying at the relief centre have been shedding tears over their uncertain future.

As many as 100 days have passed and the victims are literally on the streets with no hope of their miseries coming to end.

There is not even a flicker of hope that good days are ahead for the 170 flood victims from 58 families at the relief centre opened at the Public School in Nelyahudikeri near Siddapura.

The condition at the centre is pathetic as it lacks proper facilities. Earlier, a cook was engaged to prepare food for the flood victims. Now, the victims themselves are preparing food in shifts.

To add salt to the injury, officials issued instructions to the flood victims to vacate the relief centre and blamed them for creating a din which was hindering the study of students in the school.

The bitter winter has caused much suffering to the children and elderly people. The health of many women at the shelter had worsened.

A victim who relocated to the relief centre said rented houses suiting the requirement of flood-affected families was not available in the region.

“Some people had shifted to the rented houses and had paid deposits by availing loans. Now, they are in deep trouble, as rental allowance had not reached beneficiaries,” he charged.

“A promise to build sheds made by the government is not fulfilled so far,” a victim rued.

Labour union leader Bharat pointed out that the district administration had promised to release a rental allowance of Rs 5,000. But, it is yet to reach the needy.

A programme on providing Rs 10,000 to each of the 58 affected families in Siddapura Panchayat limits for purchasing necessary equipment was not implemented effectively.

Nearly 10 acres of land encroached in Bettadakadu village was cleared by the administration to rehabilitate the flood victims. But, the encroachers had the last laugh by bringing a stay from the court.

“Thus, permanent rehabilitation of flood victims is a mirage in the present situation,” Bharat said.

He urged the government to release Rs 10 lakh to each of the families which had lost houses.

Bharat said the ‘Nirashritara Niveshana Horata Samiti’ will conduct another round of protest.

Another victim, Safiya, said the memorandum submitted to district administration had not received any response.

“Monsoons will soon set in. And without a roof and work, our dream to provide good education to our children is not likely to be realised,” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.