Three years ago, Kutch faced one of its worst droughts in history since 1985-88. In 1998, the Kandla cyclone ravaged the region, leaving behind trails of memories that still haunt the place. Kutch has trysts with adversaries, yet it continues to rise. It remains one of the top developing districts but nature has been unsparing towards it.
Cyclone Biparjoy has exited the state to enter Rajasthan even as Kutch, as it has been doing over the years, is recovering from the recent devastation. Scores of people in shelter homes are trying to heal the chilling memories of June 15 and drawing solace that they are alive.
A national newspaper reported that NDRF, SDRF and, of course, the police made a gallant effort to rescue people, combating the forceful, howling winds and relentless downpours. Rain waters trampled down on massive swathes of land in Kutch and Saurashtra, scurrying people with their belongings to different places. They knew they had scant chances of recovery, the paper added.
Roads were hardly visible. Crushed trees, wrecked thatched houses, ravaged firms and darkness owing to power outages were the poignant visuals of the day. The massive piles of sludge will continue to block the roads for a few days more. The district is waiting for the rains to let up and give it a semblance of normalcy.
Almost early 80,000 electricity poles collapsed in Kutch and 33,000 hectares of farmland were ruined in Kutch alone, the daily added.
Jakhau, a village popular for fishing, has gone silent. It has a population of roughly 4,000 people who’re now discussing the loss of properties and the extent of damages. With several house walls blown away and cattle sheds ruined, they’re starting at an uncertain future.
They will start their lives from scratch, perhaps knowing that another adversity awaits them years later. Kutch is quite used to it and will live with it.
