HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 31: Incessant rainfall for over 36 hours in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts has disrupted normal life.
Diphu, the headquarters of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), faced power outages for over 12 hours. Roads were deserted, construction activities came to a halt, and business transactions dropped significantly.
In West Karbi Anglong, the water level of the Kapili River is steadily rising. The situation has worsened due to water released from the Khandong Dam of the Umrangso Hydropower Project and the Karbi Langpi Hydro Electric Project on May 30.
Floodwaters from the Kapili have entered agricultural fields in Kheroni Das Basti, triggering panic among residents. Soil erosion and strong winds uprooted several trees along roads and in villages. A massive tree fell on the Lanka-Kheroni-Umrangso arterial road at around 11 p.m. on May 30, bringing traffic to a halt. Local residents mobilised in the morning, using hand saws and chainsaws to clear the debris and restore traffic flow.
Tributaries of the Kapili River, including the Dongka and Amlong rivers, are also swelling rapidly. These rivers, carrying red muddy water at high velocity, have inundated areas around Dongkamukam town.
As of filing this report, no human casualties had been reported. Authorities had already issued alerts, urging residents to move to safer locations with their belongings.
The most affected villages under the Dongkamukam Revenue Circle include Kheroni, Sildubi, Lalmati, Kollongamukh, Jalpara, Rengthama, Hatimura, Wakanta, Namtaradubi, Baligaon, East Bhellapara, Boithalangso, Hongkram, Borthol, and Doloni.
Meanwhile, the Kapili River has caused flooding in the Hojai, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts of central Assam, submerging thousands of hectares of land.
The main road connecting Hojai, Tumpreng, and Dongkamukam remains cut off at Bhellapara due to the submergence of the Assam Mala Project road.