Rain Continues To Batter Assam, Flood Scene Grim

68,000 people taking shelter in 150 relief camps ** Sarbananda, Himanta discuss situation

HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, June 17: The flood situation in the northeast including Assam remained grim on Friday as incessant rainfall continued to pound parts of the region for the fourth consecutive day, leaving major rivers in spate, officials said.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 11 lakh have been impacted due to rain and floods in 25 districts of the state.

Fresh landslides were reported in several areas of Guwahati and parts of Dima-Hasao, Goalpara, Hojai, Kamrup and Kamrup (M).

Union minister for Shipping, Ports, Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, during the day, called chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and discussed the grim flood and landslide situation that crippled life in the state, an official said.

The CM apprised the Union minister of the prevailing situation and how the various departments are working round the clock to help people in the affected areas, he said.

Several rivers are flowing above the danger mark in Assam, including Brahmaputra at Nimatighat and Dhubri, Kopili at Nagaon, Puthimari at Kamrup, Pagaladiya at Nalbari, Manas and Beki at Barpeta, a bulletin issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC) maintained.

Heavy erosion has been reported from districts such as Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Morigaon, Nalbari, Sonitpur and South Salmara.

The current wave of floods has impacted 1,702 villages, and forced more than 68,000 people to take shelter in 150 relief camps. Besides, 46 relief centres have been opened in various places for distribution of food and medicines.

NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Service personnel, the police and ASDMA volunteers are carrying out evacuative drives in the affected areas on war-footing.

So far, 5,840 people have been safely evacuated, ASDMA officials stated.

Lakhs of animals and a total crop area of 20,142 hectares have been affected by the rain that began earlier in the week and subsequent flood.

An alert was sounded in Karbi Anglong, Morigaon and Nagaon districts as four sluice gates of NEEPCO’s hydroelectric project were opened in Dima Hasao.

Guwahati has been severely affected due to continued waterlogging in most parts of the city, with areas such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Zoo Road, Six Mile, Noonmati and Bhootnath figuring among the worst affected.

Meanwhile, the 1^st Battalion Disaster Response Force with all its strength took quick action with its 14 teams in the heavily flooded districts of Kamrup, Kamrup Rural, Bangaigaon, Barpeta, Bajali, Hojai, Nalbari, Darang,Tamulpur and Udalguri.

HPS Kandari, Commander 1^st NDRF, is closely monitoring rescue operations in every district.

Army launches flood relief: The Red Horns Division of Gajraj Corps has launched flood relief operations in coordination with the civil administration.

Following heavy rainfall in various parts of Assam, six composite teams of Red Horns Division of Gajraj Corps were swiftly launched during day and night in coordination with local administration to carry out rescue and relief operations in the flood affected districts of Baksa, Nalbari, Bajali, Darrang, Tamulpur and Kamrup.

In Nalbari District, the Indian Army columns which were on standby quickly reached Sathikuchi village and rescued 105 stranded locals. (With inputs from PTI)