Chiplun: Chiplunkar’s worries have become even darker as the rains are approaching. The inadequate work of sludge, the stagnant rehabilitation of the afflicted, the famine of despair after the flood of promises made during the post-flood political ‘tourism’, gradually fills the minds of the Chiplunkars with anger and fear of recurrence.
In just two months after the floods of July, 2021, the city of Chiplun stood on its own two feet, despite a loss of about two thousand crores. However, Chiplunkar could not sleep peacefully today, fearing that none of the post-flood promises would be fulfilled and the work would be incomplete. This feeling is a universal feeling that the government and administration that is our parents is a failure. Sludge removal work is still seen to be inadequate in some places. There are mounds of silt in the river basin that have not yet been lifted.
The siltation work in the Vashishti river basin started on a large scale. This sludge was removed and taken out of the supply line. However, since the sludge that is being extracted now is difficult to carry out, it is clear that it is being leveled in the river basin itself. As a result, river basins are getting narrow again in some places. Residents say that if the silt is not completely removed from the river before the monsoon, the city will be flooded again. Due to the problems like discharge of water from Kolkewadi dam, accumulation of tidal water at the confluence of Siva river and Vashishti river, red mud carried away with rain, this year families and traders have started moving their goods to higher ground.
Hotelier Prakash (Bapu) Kane said that the citizens and traders were shocked as they did not get any information about the functioning of the system and the readiness of the administration. Citizens have not received an official answer as to where such a large amount of water came from in the city last year. An angry question has been raised by the Chiplun Rescue Committee as to what to expect from such an administration.
- Wisdom that comes late
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed to set up a study group on December 15 to study the truth about the discharge of water from Kolkewadi dam, which is the key issue behind the Chiplun floods. However, it took five months to implement and the first meeting of the group was held on 26th May. As a result, the report of this committee will be received only after the end of this year’s monsoon. Due to this, citizens are accusing the government of not being very serious about floods.
- Now expect from the court
The catastrophic disaster management in the city of Chiplun has led to the catastrophic floods. The public interest litigant Adv. Owais Pechkar said that due to the incompetence of the ruling party and the administration, Chiplunkar is now expected only from the court. He also said that inadequate preparation of the administration and unfinished business would be brought to the notice of the court.
- This increases the risk
– Planning to increase the depth of Vashishti river basin failed
– Failure to set up adequate disaster management system
– Rain gauge, river basin water measuring equipment inadequate
– Waiting for the satellite phone required for communication between the administrative systems
– Failure to remove the confusion in the minds of the citizens regarding the supply line
