ROTARY SHELTER KITS FOR GIEL KHOLA
On the 4th of October 2023, a date destined to be etched ourhistory for the regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling districts, and Sikkim, a catastrophic event unfolded. It was a day when countless families in that area found their lives shattered, forcing them to flee their once-warm homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs in a desperate bid to preserve their lives. Tragically, many were not even fortunate enough to escape with their lives intact.
The incident occurred in the dead of night, and it wasn’t until the 5th of October 2023 that a clearer understanding of the situation began to emerge. Teesta town, due to its accessibility, received a significant influx of aid and relief efforts. In stark contrast, Giel Khola, located approximately 5 kilometers from the Teesta Bridge, became virtually unreachable from both directions as the raging river had washed away the roads. Vehicle movement across the Teesta bridge was restricted because authorities couldn’t assess the damage to its foundation and pillars, given that the water level of the Teesta river had risen well beyond the danger signs marked on the bridge’s pillars.
During a Rotary meeting convened on the 5th of October 2023, it was collectively decided that delivering crucial relief to the victims in Giel Khola was paramount. Rotary Shelter Kits, equipped with all the essential items needed to aid the victims during this trying time, were deemed essential. The responsibility of providing aid to the various families in Giel Khola was entrusted to Rtn. Vikash Golya Jr., Rtn. Mukesh Changia, Rtn. Vishal Gurung, Rtn. Abhishek Pradhan, and Rtn. Karan Pradhan. Following the meeting, they remained at the Rotary center, diligently working to gather information about the affected families in Giel Khola and coordinating the logistics for delivering aid. This task was particularly challenging as Giel Khola lacked electricity, and mobile phone reception in the area was extremely unreliable. After extensive deliberation, they initially considered transporting the aid on foot from the Teesta bridge through the forest, but it became evident that this route was fraught with danger and carrying aid under those circumstances was nearly impossible.
Preparation: In the early hours of the 6th of October 2023, the five of us reconvened at the Rotary center, determined to find a solution to the monumental task ahead. Shortly thereafter, we received word that a JCB (a type of construction equipment) had begun creating a narrow passage towards Giel Khola from the 29th Mile side. This news was a beacon of hope that lifted our spirits, even though reaching the location remained challenging due to the impassable Teesta bridge and a road segment of approximately 1 kilometer that had been inundated by the Teesta River.
Fortunately, we established contact with a group of young and selfless individuals in Teesta Bazaar. After discussing the situation with them, we learned that the road from Teesta Valley to Takdah was still open. We then inquired if it was possible for them to arrange transportation from Teesta Valley to Giel Khola. A route was quickly devised, starting from Teesta Bazar, passing through Takdah, Rangli Rangliot Tea Garden, descending into the Riyong Forest, proceeding to the 29th Mile, and ultimately reaching Giel Khola.
Subsequently, we promptly loaded ten Rotary Shelter Kits onto a pickup truck destined for Teesta. As we approached the Teesta bridge, a shocking and incomprehensible scene unfolded before us. It appeared as though the river was on a destructive rampage, surging through houses along the banks of the Teesta River. It had inundated the road and reached the first floor of buildings on the far side, leaving behind a daunting amount of debris and silt. The sight was nothing short of horrifying.
Our vehicle, laden with shelter kits, had no way of reaching the other pickup waiting for us on the opposite side of Teesta Bazaar. In collaboration with the same young individual from Teesta Bazaar, the five of us Rotarians undertook the arduous task of carrying the shelter kits across the devastated Teesta Bazaar, covering a distance of over a kilometer. We made multiple trips, navigating through the debris and silt. During this journey, many individuals approached us, insisting that reaching Giel Khola was an impossibility. However, we remained resolute and were committed to pressing forward.
By the time the shelter kits were loaded and ready for transport, it was already 3 p.m. The journey to Giel Khola was approximately 40 kilometers each way. Our benevolent young friends from Teesta Bazaar offered their assistance, along with a few two-wheelers to accompany the shelter kits in the pickup. It felt as though they were a godsend, restoring our faith in humanity.
The roads we initially embarked upon were narrow village roads, with sections covered in gravel and others where the road was barely discernible due to potholes. Two hours later, we were relieved to reach the highway (NH10) near 29th Mile. However, our joy was short-lived as, just a kilometerfrom Giel Khola, we encountered two stretches where three-quarters of the road had been washed away. Our hearts sank at the sight.
Fortunately, a JCB was still at work, paving a narrow path beside the remnants of the road. We quickly contacted the authorities present there, informing them of our mission to distribute the Rotary Shelter kits to the affected families. They granted us passage, but crossing that precarious path, barely wide enough for our pickup, was a heart-pounding experience. The ground beneath us felt unstable, and we knew that at any moment it could gave way and we could find ourselves at the bottom of the Teesta River.
Upon reaching Giel Khola, we were met with scenes similar to those in Teesta Bazaar. Many houses were buried under silt and debris left behind by the rampaging Teesta River. We swiftly assessed the homes of the victims and their immediate surroundings, gathering the ten families who had been rendered homeless.
Before distributing the kits, we conducted a brief instructional session to ensure that the recipients understood how to use the materials effectively. Each beneficiary received a Rotary Shelter Kit, complete with tarpaulins, ropes, a stove, towels, cooking utensils, plates, glasses, spoons, buckets, mugs, 5-liter and 3-liter jerry cans, sleeping mats, bedsheets, blankets, pillows, torches, candles, and more, all packed in a trunk. We followed the standard operating procedures and compiled a comprehensive list of beneficiaries in Giel Khola with the assistance of community leaders. The families in need expressed profound gratitude for the shelter kits.
In addition to the shelter kits, we had assembled a box of essential medications for colds, coughs, fevers, diarrhea, ORS, anti-allergy and baby food for infants, which we handed over to a nurse in the area. She was elated to receive the medication, explaining that she had already depleted her stock and was uncertain how she would care for all the affected families until our arrival.
We then set out on our return journey, not before accepting a heartfelt offering of Maggi noodles from another family as a token of their gratitude, which we gratefully accepted, as we hadn’t had time to eat until then. The journey back was shrouded in darkness, with all eyes fixed on the road. We finally reached Teesta Bazaar just as the rain began to fall. We expressed our heartfelt thanks to our newfound friends who had played a pivotal role in our monumental endeavour and bid them farewell. As we traversed the calamity-stricken Teesta Bazaar, an eerie quiet enveloped the surroundings, and the resounding crash of the mighty river against its bed echoed in our ears. We hurriedly crossed the Teesta bridge, drenched to the bone and by the time we reached our vehicles we wore smiles on our faces knowing that despite all the trials and tribulations we had accomplished what we set out to do.
The distribution of Rotary Shelter Kits to the victims of Giel Khola on 6th October 2023, proved to be a success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rotary International and our dedicated team of volunteers for their unwavering support and cooperation in turning this initiative into a reality. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue improving the living conditions and disaster preparedness of vulnerable communities.
