Kharibari, 28th June: The Dumuria River poses a threat to the tea workers residing along the Amba line of Fulbari Tea Estate in Kharibari as the river water continues to engulf homes and lands. On Friday morning, the kitchen portion of the house of a tea worker had submerged in the water causing widespread panic.
According to reports, every year the river swallows portions of the village, with houses and lands disappearing under its flow. The river changes its course frequently, and within 5-7 years, many homes and lands have been lost to its waters as the problem worsens during the monsoon season.
Residents have expressed concerns over the lack of protective measures despite repeated appeals for a dam to regulate the river’s flow. Allegedly, the situation has worsened due to illegal sand extraction activities. Despite informing the police administration, the illegal extraction of sand could not be curbed as the locals fear the area will be fully submerged soon.