Bishaka Roy Is Rebuilding After Sundarbans Cyclone in West Bengal

For Bishaka Roy, the river behind her home has gradually become a threat to everything her family depends on. Severe riverbank erosion has eaten away at the land around their house, carrying away their fishpond, productive trees and stored bamboo and timber.

Bishaka lives with one other family member in Dayapur 3 No Binapani, Gosaba Block, South 24 Parganas. Their home, a bamboo and asbestos-sheet structure, now stands dangerously close to the eroding riverbank.

When the River Took Their Land

Behind the family's house was a pond where they kept fish. As the river continued to erode the land, the pond was breached and its fish were swept into the river.

The family also lost productive trees, including coconut, date and eucalyptus trees. Bamboo and timber stored behind the house were also at risk of being washed away, although some of these materials were salvaged.

With the land beneath and around the house becoming increasingly unstable, the family's home is now at risk of collapsing into the river.

Bishaka Roy says,

“Behind our house was a pond full of fish; every single fish went into the river. Large, fruitful trees, eucalyptus, date palms, coconut trees; all of them were swallowed by the river. Even the bamboo and timber at the back were about to go, though people somehow managed to salvage some.

Now the house itself is on the verge of collapsing into the river. If the floodwater rises again, nothing will remain, it’s standing right now only because the water hasn’t risen yet, but whether it will stay standing tomorrow, no one can tell.”

A Safer Home and Livelihood to Rebuild

For Bishaka, recovery means more than repairing a damaged structure. The family needs a safer and more secure living environment as the river continues to threaten their land.

Repairing or rebuilding the house can help restore a safer place for the family to live. Replacing the lost fishpond and other livelihood assets, where feasible and appropriate, can also help the family rebuild some of the resources they depended on.

As the river continues to reshape the land around their home, recovery support must also take into account the family's ongoing exposure to erosion.

Indicative Recovery Support

Based on an initial indicative assessment, Bishaka's family has approximately ₹45,000 in estimated losses. Around ₹15,000 is indicated for repairing or rebuilding the bamboo and asbestos-sheet house. A further ₹5,000 is indicated for replacing essential household utensils and items, while ₹25,000 is indicated for the loss of the fishpond as a livelihood asset.

Note: Recovery requirements and costs are indicative and subject to field and technical verification. Support will be prioritised according to assessed household needs.

Together, Let's Help Bishaka Rebuild

For Bishaka and her family, the effects of erosion are not limited to the land they have already lost. The river continues to threaten their home, livelihood assets and sense of security.

Your support can help her recover essential assets, strengthen their living conditions and work towards a safer and more secure future.

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Your contribution will support SEEDS' disaster response and recovery efforts for affected families based on assessed needs.