Move to safer places: DC to hill residents

Guwahati: In the wake of the massive landslide that struck Paschim Rupnagar on Friday night, claiming the life of Maneshwar Rajbangshi, Kamrup (Metro) district commissioner Sumit Sattavan visited several houses in the hilly area and urged residents to relocate to safer locations as soon as possible. However, relocation appeals has triggered deep concerns among locals, who are caught between fear and financial crisis. With a large portion of loose earth still posing a threat, the district administration has marked multiple homes for immediate evacuation. Speaking to TOI, Sumit Sattavan said, "There is uncertainty as no landslide incidents were reported in the last 10 years. Thus, this area may not be previously marked as vulnerable. However, our teams are currently conducting a fresh survey, and we will be able to confirm the status once the report is completed."Highlighting upon the need for continuous re-assessments of the hilly areas, the DC said landslide-prone areas are determined by multiple factors, including how water interacts with the surface. In Guwahati, although the bedrock is mostly granite, weathering and the presence of cracks or loose soil make the surface porous in many areas, allowing water to seep through and weaken the slopes. Additionally, changes in tree cover impact slope stability. The district administration urged people to stay at the Rupnagar LP school, which has been converted into a makeshift relief camp. However, despite the urgency, the encroachers remain reluctant to move, primarily due to the lack of financial resources. Manohar Sharma (45), who has been staying in the area since the 1970s, said, "I have been working as a delivery boy distributing parcels, I do not have a steady income, now if I have to vacate the house, where will my mother and I go?" Meanwhile, Deepa Medhi (30), another resident who has been living in the area for over 10 years, cited the increasing rent rates in the city as a major reason why it has become difficult for families like hers to relocate to safer places. "We earn our daily bread by working in others' house. How does the govt expect us to miraculously vacate our home and start living in the plains?." Medhi said.