Assam’s Tukergram, stranded by floodings, locates lifeline in mobile water device–

Tukergram, a tiny district located on a hillock in Gram Panchayat (GENERAL PRACTITIONER) Tarinipur, Katigora block of Cachar area, Assam, has just 32 homes and a populace of 152. The word ‘Tuker’ implies island in the neighborhood language. Nestled close to an attractive lake that was as soon as component of the winding Barak River, this hillock becomes an island for 4 to 5 months throughout the floodings– in some cases also 7 months or even more, till the Barak river’s water degree declines. During this duration, households residing in low-lying locations move to the highest possible component of the district, withstanding months in stuffed and unclean problems. Until just recently, this town additionally encountered a yearly fight versus nature, highlighting the necessity of accessibility to tidy water– a problem main to World Water Day, which drops on March 22.

Cachar area in southerly Assam is a low-lying area of the Barak Valley, where a number of rivers from Manipur and Mizoram circulation right into theBarak River Even when it stays completely dry in Cachar, hefty rains in these states brings about floodings in the area. According to residents, rains and floodings have actually come to be significantly unpredictable and extreme, extending the downpour period and intensifying its influence.

A community without fundamental solutions

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) determined Tukergram as one of the most awful flood-affected locations doing not have also a government-provided water pipe. The approved pipe via Kalinagar general practitioner have to travel through a drainpipe, making implementation hard. The district additionally does not have roadway connection, electrical energy and created commodes. Families below depend on the lake for day-to-day water requirements, yet throughout floodings, the overruning lake ends up being polluted.

During these months, homeowners gather rain making use of pipelines placed on roofs and utilize * phitkiri * (alum) to sanitize the water.

“If you give me clean water, I will use it. Else, I have to manage with water from the nala (drainage canal),” claimed Abdul Jabbar, 58, a local of Tukergram.

Being confined in one location, individuals are incapable to squeeze out any kind of income. Only those taken part in angling, rented to a couple of government-approved professionals, gain some revenue. Agriculture is feasible just for one period, requiring several– specifically boys– to move for job, in some cases regarding the Konkan shore.

Unicef and companions interfere

To deal with the problem available, Unicef India in partnership with Deshbandhu Club (NGO), DDMA, PHED, and the Community Facilitation and Resource Centre (CFRC)– a nodal federal government body under DDMA and the Panchayat and Rural Development (P&R) division– collaborated with the neighborhood to examine the lake water for contamination.

“In response to the severe floods in Assam in 2024, Unicef, in collaboration with the Government of Assam and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), provided essential WASH services to vulnerable families across six worst-affected districts of Barapeta Cachar, Dhemaji Karimganj, Dibrugarh and Morigaon covering 1,000 households in 100 villages ensuring access to safe drinking water and hygiene facilities.” claimed Dr Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of Field Office, Unicef, Assam and northeastern states.

An emergency situation mobile water therapy device was given, which cleanses the lake water via an easy procedure: pumping, purification and sanitation making use of chlorine. The device is very easy to mount and run– so basic that also kids have actually found out to utilize it.”

“The difference in water, before and after the unit, is as clear as the difference in silver and gold. The water is as clean as the rainwater from above. We have never got clean water to drink, so for us getting the unit is like getting the universe,” said Abdul Jabbar, 58 years, resident and member of sub-water committee of Tukergram.

The intervention not only addressed the immediate water needs but also helped build community resilience against future floods. With dedicated training and support, local volunteers are now equipped to operate and maintain the unit independently.

“The mobile water treatment unit has been a game-changer for Tukergram, ensuring safe drinking water, especially during floods. DDMA played a key role—from assessing needs to mobilising resources and coordinating with stakeholders. To sustain this, we’re focussing on training volunteers, building partnerships, and securing dedicated funds for future deployments,” said Shamim Laskar, Project Officer, District Disaster Management Authority, Cachar district.

The Community Facilitation and Resource Centre (CFRC) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between communities and disaster response agencies, ensuring that relief reaches those who need it most.

“The community Facilitation and Resource Centre (CFRC) conducts regular meetings, vulnerability mapping, and beneficiary surveys for hygiene kits and community toilet projects. We support the Deshbandhu Club team in hygiene kit distribution and awareness sessions. During floods, we act as a bridge between communities and agencies like SDRF and DDMA, ensuring timely assistance with evacuation, clean water, and medical aid,” said Ashim Kumar Das, Nodal officer, CFRC (Tarinpur GP).

Community ownership and sustainability

A sub-water committee was formed along the lines of the Jal Jeevan Mission’s water user committees, with 14 members, including six women. The committee manages the unit’s daily operations, schedules water collection, arranges fuel and ensures maintenance. Each household contributes Rs20 per week ($0.23) for daily collection of water from the unit.” for water accessibility. Plans are underway to connect the board with a financial institution for fund administration.

“There used to be worms in the water, causing stomach ailments, skin infections and other health issues, especially in children. Now, with clean drinking water, these problems have reduced,” claimed Sajida Begum Talukdar, 28, a qualified driver of the device.

Since there are no water pipes, the mobile water therapy device has actually given risk-free alcohol consumption water to Tukergram for the very first time. The board currently intends to mount a Sintex water container making use of accumulated funds, permitting water storage space and minimizing the demand for constant procedure of the device.

“In Tukergram, 32 families lacked access to clean water. The mobile water treatment unit provides safe drinking water year-round. We ensure its maintenance and, during floods, distribute clean water to nearby villages, preventing waterborne diseases and improving resilience,” claimed Ashim Kumar Das, Nodal Officer, CFRC.

Meanwhile, the area management is discovering methods to bring Tukergram under the Piped Water Supply Scheme for house faucet links in the future. Until after that, the mobile water therapy device stays an important source, making sure accessibility to safe and clean water throughout future floodings.

“Implementing sustainable water and sanitation solutions in remote, flood-prone areas isn’t easy. Hilly terrain makes access difficult; funding depends on ASDMA & the Revenue Department, and infrastructure gaps persist. Raising community awareness and coordinating multiple stakeholders add to the challenge, but we are committed to finding solutions”, claimed Shamim Laskar, Project Officer, DDMA, Cachar area.

A bigger initiative to guarantee risk-free water accessibility

Beyond Tukergram, initiatives to boost accessibility to risk-free alcohol consumption water and hygiene have actually been scaled throughout several flood-affected areas. Unicef and its companions have actually taken on a multi-sectoral method to guarantee that alleviation initiatives are not simply short-term options, yet long-lasting treatments targeted at enhancing neighborhood durability. By incorporating emergency situation reaction with lasting clean programs, the campaign is aiding households prepare, adjust and recoup much faster from future catastrophes.

“Through the Assam Flood Relief Programme, hygiene kits, chlorine tablets and water dispensers, raised or disaster resilient community toilets, WASH training in schools and communities and emergency mobile water treatment and filtration units were provided. Thanks to this support, people could have access to safe and clean drinking water, essential hygiene and sanitation facilities during and after the floods”, claimed Dr Jonathan.