The monsoons are difficult in the river island - Majuli. The island dwellers say that they are cut off from the rest of the world for nearly four to five months every year when the floodwater submerges their homes and fields. Over the past, soil erosion amplified by annual flooding, has accelerated the picturesque island of much of its area and vegetation. Majuli, the river island in the state of Assam, is a 553-sq-km island in the Brahmaputra River. Flooding has been an integral part for the dwellers in the island, but the rising frequency and intensity of the phenomena is seen to affect the socio-economic factors of communities living there.

Prachodhan Development Services, started working in this community on emergency relief and response activities. The connectivity to the mainland was seen to be minimal during the floods and hence an obvious solution that came up in the mind is to build bridges over these troubled waters. These bridges proved to be of great help to the island dwellers especially during the floods. Seeing that one such bamboo bridge was extensively used by the community, the Government offered and built a wooden bridge through the same path. Apart from this, a tree plantation drive was organized in the island to help prevent the soil erosion. Around 3000 saplings were planted and are taken care of through community participation. PDS stands together in building resilience within the community to protect themselves from what monsoon throws at them.

PDS also formed a volunteer’s army and gave necessary training with the support of the ESAF Bank CSR fund to help the community at the time of emergencies. This army was able to reach and help people during floods and other medical emergency situations during the flood and otherwise. The well thought out efforts in the relief and response activity is continuously done in this region with the support of the community bringing the change of resilience one step at a time..