- T. Zamlunmang Zou @ Pupu Zou
Churachandpur, popularly known as the second largest town of the state currently tastes the iceberg of what a natural disaster is! The magnitude of what we presently experience is so small that, it is not fit to be called natural disaster, but manmade disaster. Those eye witnesses said, Lanva stream was over-flowed due to excessive encroachment by the nearby residents, while Tuitha River inundated several residential areas due to the release of water from Khuga Dam water reservoir. At the very outset, let us see the demographic details of our district.
Demographic Profile: Churachandpur District has an area of 4570 sq.km. Its location is 23055′ to 24030′ North and 92059′ to 93050′ East (Precise coordination 24°20′N 93°41′E). In 2011, Churachandpur had population of 274,143 of which male and female were 138,820 and 135,323 respectively. In 2001 census, Churachandpur had a population of 227,905 of which males were 117,232 and remaining 110,673 were females. There was change of 20.29 percent in the population compared to population as per 2001. In the previous census of India 2001, Churachandpur District recorded increase of 29.36 percent to its population compared to 1991. The density of Churachandpur district for 2011 is 60 people per sq. km. In 2001, its density was at 50 people per sq. km. Out of the total Churachandpur population for 2011 census, 6.70 percent lives in urban regions of district. In total 18,357 people lives in urban areas. A total population of 255,786 i.e 93.30 % lives in rural areas.1
Lamka town has witnessed a double folded increase in population since the last few years which led to an encroachment in water ways, residential areas in vulnerable places where it can be easily submerged with a little rain.
It is unfortunate to say that, our district preparedness in disaster management is still at ground level. Disaster preparedness plan at district level, sub-divisional level, block level and village level needs to be developed to meet the demand of natural disasters. Like the Bible says in Matthew 24:42ff, "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming......”, no one knows, not even the Deputy Commissioner of our district on which day a devastating disaster will strike us. Therefore, be on alert with a prepared Disaster Management Plan.
