Inadequate relief materials frustrate flood–affected people Several villages have been submerged by flood water in some parts of Kokrajhar following incessant rain since the last two weeks. At least eight villages have been inundated in north of Patgaon in Kokrajhar district as the Swrmanga river has been flowing above danger level. This has also posed a threat to Kokrajhar town as the flood water has inundated Kokrajhar–Ramfalbil PWD Road near Chandamari. Villages like–Guwabari parti–II, New Banglajhora, Banglajhora, Kashibari, Kashibari Part–II, North Patgaon, 2 No. Guwabari and Guwabari Part–I have been inundated by the water of Swrmanga river since the last 15 days. Around 1,000 people have been forced to take shelter in safer places, especially in the embankments. The villagers are living in temporary relief camps since the past two weeks. Talking to reporters, the president of All Gorkha Students’ Union (AGSU), BTC region, Dimbeswar Upadhaya said that eight villages had been submerged by flood waters since the last 15 days and people had been forced to take shelter in safer places. He said the flood–affected people were facing problems of drinking water, electricity, firewood, and other basic needs. He said the BTC administration had provided rice and other relief materials but the response from the Government of Assam was poor. Replying to a question, Upadhaya said the EM of BTC Mono Kr Brahma and former MCLA Madhav Karki Chetri had visited the flood–affected villages to take stock of the situation. He said the ADC from Kokrajhar also visited the affected places but the villagers got rice and other materials only for two days in the last 15 days. Due to lack of firewood, people were even not being able to cook their meals. He further said that BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary assured them to strengthen the embankment in the river Swrmanga but it had not been done yet. Thopsa Basumatary of New Banglajhora said not only people but domestic animals were also suffering. He said their belongings had been submerged as they managed to save their lives but failed to save their belongings. The New Banglajhora LP School is also under water. The wooden bridge over the river Kalasi has been washed away. A student of Kashibari–Rupali Chetri said they could not attend classes as their houses were submerged by water. She said the road had become muddy and the wooden bridge had broken. Meanwhile, the president of Kokrajhar district Bodoland Students’ Union (BSU), Kwrwmdao Wary, said that the student union had distributed basic materials to the flood–affected people.