Fury of nature: As three-year-old house gets consumed by river, family looks for a place like home

Milkha’s elderly mother, her voice breaking, recalled the pain of building their home. “We built this house just three years ago,” she said, wiping away tears. “We can accept losing our land to the river, but watching our children’s home being destroyed, piece by piece, is unbearable.”

The family’s misfortune does not stop with their home. The floodwaters have already wiped out their 18 acres of farmland and entire paddy crop, leaving them with nothing to fall back on. The family is now relocating their possessions to Lakh Waria village, about two kilometers away, where their old ancestral house still stands.

Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal visited the family personally to offer reassurance and support. Seechewal, known for his advocacy for environmental causes and community welfare, expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of the river’s changing course on Rampura Gauhra village and surrounding areas in Baupur Mand. “The fury of the Beas knows no bounds, but we will ensure the family receives the help they need,” Seechewal said.

Seeing the destruction firsthand, the MP vowed to take the matter up with senior officials, assuring that every possible form of government aid would be provided. “We will ensure that the affected families are not left to face this crisis alone,” he said. He also appealed to humanitarian individuals and organisations to come forward and help, emphasising the dire need for immediate assistance.

“The flood has already devastated the lives of many families along the riverbanks, but Milkha Singh’s plight, in particular, highlights the harsh reality of nature’s unpredictable forces. The destruction of their land, home, and livelihood has left the family struggling to rebuild their lives,” Seechewal added.