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At least 75 families rendered homeless in Majuli

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Press Trust of India Jorhat (Assam)

During the last 72 hours, unabated erosion and floods have washed away huge chunks of land in Halmora area of North Majuli rendering 75 families homeless, official sources said.

The families have taken shelter on the highlands further north of the island.

Halmora, famed for its pottery works, is a prominent tourist destination attracting people from both abroad and other parts of the country.

The flood victims alleged that they have not received any relief or rehabilitation from the state government so far.

Majuli's Sub-Divisional Officer Sonaram Khanikar said massive erosion in the area was caused mainly due to the continuous digging by villagers to find special clay used in making pots, weakening the embankment.

 

Khanikar said that necessary steps are being taken to provide relief to the affected families.

Rampant erosion by the Brahamaputra has reduced Majuli to less than 50 percent of its habitable land, which has decreased from 1,226 square km to 576 square km since the 1980s.

  

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First Published: Jul 06 2012 | 6:05 PM IST

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