KENDRAPARA: Life will never be the same for Sabita and Manas Mallick. The second spell of flood on September 22 proved to be their nemesis. “The roar of gushing flood water was deafening. With water rising to 15 feet at some places, it was scary. The whole village was on its feet,” said a visibly traumatised Sabita. The flood water had engulfed the village in 15 minutes.Luckily, they could save their livestock comprising, two cows, six sheep and two goats. They had taken refuge on an embankment along with their children and cattle. While Manas wandered for relief, Sabita held fort on the embankment. It was only on Friday that they finally managed to reach their village to pick up the pieces from the remains of their flood-ravaged house.In another corner of the district, the moaning of Urmila Swain of Taradipala village, a wrinkled woman who was brought to Chaudalukat camp by the rescue team, is hard to miss. “Can you take me back to my village? I am feeling lonely here,” she said. She has been putting up at the camp with her daughter-in-law and three-year-old grand-son.The affected people of the district are struggling without food, clothes and medicines even as the district administration is making efforts to reach the marooned villages. Sabitri Swain (28) of Dandisahi village walks five kilometres every day from one rescue camp to the other seeking food for her three children. With the rivers relenting and flood water receding, the villagers now pin all hopes on the State Government to help them rebuild their house and future.
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