Lockdown and storms affected this daily wage labourer. The next challenge in Assam

In just 25 km from Jorhat, tragedy has struck Chandra Bahadur Chettri. He is a daily wage labourer from a small village called Nepali Goan situated in Kalbari West. He is 63 years old and is survived by his 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.

As heavy rains and storms engulfed Assam with the onset of Bordoisila (winds that mark the incoming monsoon season), Chhetri's small house was destroyed. The storm literally and metaphorically destroyed his living following which his family has been resorted to sleeping in other people's balconies.

The storm came at a time when the country has been gripped with the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown. This has led to a lack of work for him and he is currently out of any work. To add to that, Chhetri has received no govt remuneration except Rs 1000 since the lockdown owing to lack of ration card. The family is now in dire need of help.

Taking stock of the situation, some local farmers have decided to help his family. But, the farmers are themself suffering from the onslaught of the economic crisis that came with the lockdown. Speaking to InsideNE, a farmer stated, "we are ourselves farmers and are poor. We are trying to help him and at least build him a temporary shelter". They have also requested the govt to intervene in the situation to help Chettri's problems.

The bigger challenges ahead

As stated by experts, India faces the dual challenge of the virus and hunger. Meanwhile, in Assam, weather disruptions is another parameter that's going to add more concerns.

Climate

This rings alarm bells regarding the dual challenge Assam faces amid the Covid19 pandemic. At a time when the government is fighting the viral outbreak with precautionary measures that have dented the economy, the other threat of the impending floods cannot be discounted. In 2019, around 43 lakh people have been affected by the floods across the state. Among them, Barpeta was the worst-hit district followed by Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, and Hailakandi.

As the state approaches the monsoon season, it will be a test of the govt's preparedness to control both the viral outbreak and the associated floods that follow in every monsoon.

Employment

The Covid19 outbreak has been an unprecedented crisis. So far, the economy has contracted as consumption levels have gone done. In that, there's a heavy fallout in the employment generation capacity of the state. The most that stand to be affected will be the daily wage labourers who have much to lose than mere jobs.

Both, the epidemic and the disruptions by the climate will affect the state's financial resources and would affect the already burdened employment scenario of Assam. As per the OKD Institute Of Social Change And Development report circulated in media, around 62 lakh people of Assam stand to be affected on their livelihood post corona lockdown.

The State govt has already facilitated employment under MGNREGA projects. The overall picture will be understood once the Economic Task Force set up by the Govt of Assam comes up with recommendations. How they will tackle all the aforementioned challenges will be seen in the coming time.

Meanwhile, Chandra Bahadur Chhetri awaits for the necessities and intervention.