Assam: Tea Association of India expresses concern over flooding in Sivasagar's Nazira Sub-Division
Sivasagar, July 20
The Tea Association of India, Assam Branch, has expressed deep concern over the unprecedented flood situation that has severely affected the tea-growing areas of Nazira Sub-Division in Sivasagar District following incessant rainfall and a cloudburst in the adjoining State of Nagaland.
The sudden surge of water in the rivers originating from Nagaland resulted in all major rivers flowing above the danger level. The breach of the embankment on the Dorika River further aggravated the situation, causing extensive inundation across the tea estates of the Nazira region.
According to the Tea Association of India, almost all tea estates in the affected area have been submerged, with workers' residential quarters, estate hospitals, schools, roads and other essential infrastructure remaining under floodwaters.
"Thousands of tea workers and their family members have been compelled to leave their homes and seek refuge in factory buildings, managers' bungalows and other elevated structures within the estates," Dipanjol Deka, Tea Association of India (Assam Branch) Secretary, said.
He further said that, among the affected estates, Bamonpookrie Tea Estate has suffered the most severe devastation.
"In an extraordinary and distressing incident, a pregnant worker delivered a baby inside the factory premises under extremely challenging circumstances as floodwaters made it impossible to reach a medical facility in time. Another expectant mother, who was on the verge of delivery, also required urgent medical attention, highlighting the grave humanitarian challenges faced by the stranded workers," Dipanjol Deka said.
He also said that, despite the adverse conditions, the Management of the affected tea estates extended all possible assistance to the displaced workers by arranging shelter, cooked food, drinking water, essential supplies and emergency support. Estate staff worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the workers and their families throughout the crisis.
The Tea Association of India also acknowledges and sincerely appreciates the prompt response of the District Administration, Sivasagar, which coordinated rescue operations, facilitated the evacuation of stranded persons and ensured timely medical assistance for those in need.
The collaborative efforts of the District Administration, disaster response agencies and the estate management have played a crucial role in safeguarding lives during this unprecedented natural calamity.
While immediate rescue operations are underway, the humanitarian crisis remains far from over. Restoration of drinking water, electricity, roads, medical services and workers' housing will require sustained support in the coming days.
The Tea Association of India urges all concerned authorities to continue relief and rehabilitation efforts on a priority basis so that normalcy can be restored at the earliest.
The Tea Association of India stands in solidarity with the affected tea workers and their families and remains committed to working closely with the Government and district authorities in all relief, rehabilitation and recovery initiatives.
Meanwhile, due to incessant heavy rainfall in the upstream catchment areas, the Dikhow River has been overflowing, leading to severe flooding in and around Simaluguri (SLGR) town in Sivasagar district under Tinsukia Division of Northeast Frontier Railway.
The floodwaters have inundated the Simaluguri station yard, railway tracks, railway colony and adjoining areas. Water has also overtopped the railway track in the Simaluguri section.
In view of passenger safety and operational requirements, train movement between the Simaluguri-Namtiali and Simaluguri-Selenghat sections has been suspended until further notice, according to a release.
Consequently, several long-distance trains originating from or bound for Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have been diverted via the Rangiya - Rangapara - Dibrugarh route. In addition, a number of local passenger services have been cancelled, while some trains have been short-terminated or short-originated.
NF Railway is taking proactive action to facilitate the passengers on board these trains.
Arrangements of food packets, drinking water and refund of tickets have been made. Help Desks have been set up at all stations. ASTC buses and local vehicles have been arranged at Namtiali for the movement of passengers to Sibsagar Town station. From Sibsagar Town station, a special train has been planned for Dibrugarh and New Tinsukia.
217 passengers detraining from 22503 Vivek Express at Selenghat are being transported by road to Mariani. 570 passengers of the 15959 Kamrup Express and 490 passengers of the 15934 Amritsar Tinsukia Express detraining at Mariani are being facilitated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the efforts of the district administration and estate management, this situation repeats every year. Why are we not learning from past floods? The embankment on Dorika River breached - was it not maintained? Our tea workers deserve better than makeshift shelters in factory buildings. 😞
As someone from Sivasagar, I can tell you the situation on ground is worse than what's reported. The Dikhow River flooding has cut off entire villages. But I'm proud of how the local community is helping each other - neighbours sharing food, boats being used for rescue. This Assamese spirit of togetherness is our strength. Big shoutout to the railway staff arranging food and transport for stranded passengers! 👏
This is a classic example of how climate change is hitting our most vulnerable communities. Tea gardens in Assam have faced floods for decades, but the intensity is increasing. We need long-term solutions like climate-resilient housing for workers, better weather forecasting, and catchment area management. The cloudburst in Nagaland shows this is a regional problem needing cooperation between states. 🌧️
I read this and feel helpless. The tea workers live in such precarious conditions - their homes are basically huts that get washed away every flood. The estate management did well in this crisis but what about rebuilding their lives? Will the government provide compensation? Will their houses be rebuilt? Or will we just have the same news next year? 😔
As an outsider reading this, I'm struck by the resilience of the people. A woman giving birth in a factory, families taking refuge in managers' bungalows,
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.