World Water Day: Assam’s Tukergram, stranded by floods, finds lifeline in cell water unit

Tukergram, a small hamlet located on a hillock in Gram Panchayat (GP) Tarinipur, Katigora block of Cachar district, Assam, has solely 32 households and a inhabitants of 152. The phrase ‘Tuker’ means island within the native dialect. Nestled beside a picturesque lake that was as soon as a part of the meandering Barak River, this hillock turns into an island for 4 to 5 months through the floods—typically even seven months or extra, till the Barak river’s water degree recedes. Throughout this era, households residing in low-lying areas migrate to the best a part of the hamlet, enduring months in congested and unhygienic circumstances. Till lately, this village additionally confronted an annual battle in opposition to nature, highlighting the urgency of entry to wash water—a problem central to World Water Day, which falls on March 22.

Cachar district in southern Assam is a low-lying area of the Barak Valley, the place a number of rivers from Manipur and Mizoram move into the Barak River. Even when it stays dry in Cachar, heavy rainfall in these states results in floods within the district. In keeping with locals, rainfall and floods have grow to be more and more erratic and intense, prolonging the monsoon season and worsening its affect.

A hamlet with out fundamental providers

The District Catastrophe Administration Authority (DDMA) and Public Well being and Engineering Division (PHED) recognized Tukergram as one of many worst flood-affected areas missing even a government-provided water pipeline. The sanctioned pipeline by means of Kalinagar GP should go by means of a drain, making execution tough. The hamlet additionally lacks street connectivity, electrical energy and constructed bogs. Households right here depend on the lake for day by day water wants, however throughout floods, the overflowing lake turns into contaminated.

Throughout these months, residents acquire rainwater utilizing pipes mounted on rooftops and use *phitkiri* (alum) to decontaminate the water.

“If you happen to give me clear water, I’ll use it. Else, I’ve to handle with water from the nala (drainage canal),” mentioned Abdul Jabbar, 58, a resident of Tukergram.

Being corralled in a single place, individuals are unable to eke out any livelihood. Solely these engaged in fishing, leased to some government-approved contractors, earn some earnings. Agriculture is feasible just for one season, forcing many—particularly younger males—emigrate for work, typically so far as the Konkan coast.

Unicef and companions intervene

To deal with the problem at hand, Unicef India in collaboration with Deshbandhu Membership (NGO), DDMA, PHED, and the Group Facilitation and Useful resource Centre (CFRC)—a nodal authorities physique underneath DDMA and the Panchayat and Rural Improvement (P&R) division—labored with the neighborhood to check the lake water for contamination.

“In response to the extreme floods in Assam in 2024, Unicef, in collaboration with the Authorities of Assam and European Civil Safety and Humanitarian Assist Operations (ECHO), supplied important WASH providers to weak households throughout six worst-affected districts of Barapeta Cachar, Dhemaji Karimganj, Dibrugarh and Morigaon protecting 1,000 households in 100 villages making certain entry to protected ingesting water and hygiene services.” mentioned Dr Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of Subject Workplace, Unicef, Assam and northeastern states.

An emergency cell water remedy unit was supplied, which purifies the lake water by means of a easy course of: pumping, filtration and disinfection utilizing chlorine. The unit is straightforward to put in and function—so easy that even youngsters have realized to make use of it.”

“The distinction in water, earlier than and after the unit, is as clear because the distinction in silver and gold. The water is as clear because the rainwater from above. We’ve by no means received clear water to drink, so for us getting the unit is like getting the universe,” mentioned Abdul Jabbar, 58 years, resident and member of sub-water committee of Tukergram.

The intervention not solely addressed the rapid water wants but additionally helped construct neighborhood resilience in opposition to future floods. With devoted coaching and assist, native volunteers at the moment are geared up to function and keep the unit independently.

“The cell water remedy unit has been a game-changer for Tukergram, making certain protected ingesting water, particularly throughout floods. DDMA performed a key position—from assessing must mobilising sources and coordinating with stakeholders. To maintain this, we’re focussing on coaching volunteers, constructing partnerships, and securing devoted funds for future deployments,” mentioned Shamim Laskar, Venture Officer, District Catastrophe Administration Authority, Cachar district.

The Group Facilitation and Useful resource Centre (CFRC) performs an important position in bridging the hole between communities and catastrophe response businesses, making certain that reduction reaches those that want it most.

“The neighborhood Facilitation and Useful resource Centre (CFRC) conducts common conferences, vulnerability mapping, and beneficiary surveys for hygiene kits and neighborhood bathroom tasks. We assist the Deshbandhu Membership crew in hygiene package distribution and consciousness classes. Throughout floods, we act as a bridge between communities and businesses like SDRF and DDMA, making certain well timed help with evacuation, clear water, and medical help,” mentioned Ashim Kumar Das, Nodal officer, CFRC (Tarinpur GP).

Group possession and sustainability

A sub-water committee was shaped alongside the traces of the Jal Jeevan Mission’s water person committees, with 14 members, together with six girls. The committee manages the unit’s day by day operations, schedules water assortment, arranges gas and ensures upkeep. Every family contributes Rs20 per week ($0.23) for day by day assortment of water from the unit.” for water entry. Plans are underway to hyperlink the committee with a financial institution for fund administration.

“There was once worms within the water, inflicting abdomen illnesses, pores and skin infections and different well being points, particularly in youngsters. Now, with clear ingesting water, these issues have lowered,” mentioned Sajida Begum Talukdar, 28, a skilled operator of the unit.

Since there aren’t any water pipelines, the cell water remedy unit has supplied protected ingesting water to Tukergram for the primary time. The committee now goals to put in a Sintex water tank utilizing collected funds, permitting water storage and decreasing the necessity for frequent operation of the unit.

“In Tukergram, 32 households lacked entry to wash water. The cell water remedy unit offers protected ingesting water year-round. We guarantee its upkeep and, throughout floods, distribute clear water to close by villages, stopping waterborne ailments and enhancing resilience,” mentioned Ashim Kumar Das, Nodal Officer, CFRC.

In the meantime, the district administration is exploring methods to deliver Tukergram underneath the Piped Water Provide Scheme for family faucet connections within the close to future. Till then, the cell water remedy unit stays an important useful resource, making certain entry to potable water throughout future floods.

“Implementing sustainable water and sanitation options in distant, flood-prone areas isn’t straightforward. Hilly terrain makes entry tough; funding is dependent upon ASDMA & the Income Division, and infrastructure gaps persist. Elevating neighborhood consciousness and coordinating a number of stakeholders add to the problem, however we’re dedicated to discovering options”, mentioned Shamim Laskar, Venture Officer, DDMA, Cachar district.

A bigger effort to make sure protected water entry

Past Tukergram, efforts to enhance entry to protected ingesting water and sanitation have been scaled throughout a number of flood-affected areas. Unicef and its companions have adopted a multi-sectoral strategy to make sure that reduction efforts aren’t simply short-term options, however long-term interventions aimed toward strengthening neighborhood resilience. By integrating emergency response with sustainable WASH programmes, the initiative helps households put together, adapt and get well quicker from future disasters.

“By the Assam Flood Aid Programme, hygiene kits, chlorine tablets and water dispensers, raised or catastrophe resilient neighborhood bogs, WASH coaching in faculties and communities and emergency cell water remedy and filtration items have been supplied. Due to this assist, folks may have entry to protected and clear ingesting water, important hygiene and sanitation services throughout and after the floods”, mentioned Dr Jonathan.