By A Representative
The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has declared that the number of affected villages because of the Narmada dam is 178, suggesting that the data earlier released in 2017 have been set aside. The previous BJP government had “not taken into account” as many as 76 villages, some of whom are facing submergence, as the dam’s water levels rise.
“About 6,000 families live in these villages, yet the then state government did not make public the names of these villages”, said the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), currently campaigning against the Gujarat government decision to keep all the gates of the dam closed to take the water levels to the full reservoir level, 139 metres.
“Lakhs of trees and plants have been submerged”, NBA said in a statement, adding, “If there are on an average 1,000 trees in each village, then 250,000 trees in 178 villages have either drowned or are about to drown.”
Meanwhile, reports say, geological stir has “intensified” in the region because of waterlogging in the dam and its upstream areas. Earthquake tremors were first noticed on August 9 in Bhamori village of Barwani district, which have spread to other villages now – Jholpipri (Anjar), Sakad, Haribar, Umaria, Sivai, Bilwa Road, Mandil, Surana, Bandi and Devjhiri and villages. “It is a danger signal for the safety of the entire Narmada Valley”, NBA said.
Meanwhile, in Pichodi, 35 houses got drowned, but people are still there. As many as 110 families are living in Jangarwa, which has turned into an island. It its road connectivity has been lost. Waters have entered several other villages – Avalda, Bhavati, Sodul, Morkatta, Bijasan, Amalali, Rajghat, Bhilkheda, Nandgaon, Pendra, Jamda, Chhoti Kasrawad, Kundia, Dehadla, Bagood, Piplud, Aavali, Datwara, Mohipura, Segwa, Ekk, Labara, Semalda, Kavathi and Perkhad. The problem of drinking water is rampant, power has been cut off.
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