Life beyond Aila : an everyday doom…

The phrase ‘Global Warming’ has become widely known as one of the most important ‘Global’ issue.
So much so, that nations and scientists across the world are in two different poles and professing
radically opposing opinion. Statistically, the last 30 years have been the warmest since accurate
records began somewhat over 100 years ago.

The effects of global warming and climate change are of concern, both for the environment and
human life. Evidence of observed climate change includes the instrumental temperature record,
rising sea levels, and decreased snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere. It is predicted that
including extreme weather events, water and food shortage, population migration, adversely
affected human health and extinction of species are in the offing in the present climate change
scenario.
The Horror came true – Cyclonic storm Aila hit West Bengal on May 25 at 125 kmph , causing severe
damage and left more than 100,000 people homeless with little or no access to food, safe drinking
water, shelter and medicine.

In the Sunderbans delta zone, gigantic waves caused by the cyclone have destroyed around 400
kilometers of embankments in Sagar, Pathapratima, Basanti, Gosaba, Sandeshkhali and Hingalgunj,
flooding hundreds of the villages. 54 major and smaller islands and the lives of over 40 lakh of its
inhabitants were severely affected in these areas. The floods has razed or damaged countless
houses, washed away seeds and killed the livestock. Brackish water entering farmlands has ruined
crops and wiped out all stocks of freshwater fish and shrimp. Village after village lay submerged.
Affected people are living with acute shortage of drinking water, food and shelter. According to
experts, Sunderbans has never been hit by such a destructive storm in the last three decades.
Hatgacha , situated at Sandeshkhali block II in North 24 Parganas, is among one of the worst hit
areas. Cyclonic waves destroyed the entire region flooding farmlands , killing domestic animals and
smashed all of the huts leaving people homeless. Still now, after 5 months since the massive
devastation, life could not return to its normal habitable state.

Aila, the horrible hurricane lashed 8 months back, but left another storm and turbulence in their
daily life.

Still now, even after 8 months since this massive devastation, life could not return to its normal
habitable state. Huts made of mud and straws are partly built, safe drinking water issue is still under
question. Nearest health center is about 2.5 km away and not equipped with basic minimum
facilities. Local doctor at the time of emergency is a scarce resource. Fire required for cooking is
currently derived from dead branches which is soon going to be exhausted. Entire nearby region of
farmlands will remain barren in the next couple of years for heavy soil salinity. Education of children
is temporarily hampered as Mid Day Meal program – the much publicized central government’s
initiative ‘Education For All’ is at a halt. Severe economic constrains restricts children to avail copy
books and pencils, as earning members earn money by digging 100 baskets of clay at a
remuneration of Rs 80/- [ US $ 1.7 ] per day . The list could be stretched further without an end.