A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The flood situation of Lakhimpur district worsened on Sunday, paralysing normal life and damaging the crops in the affected areas. The recent wave of flood has inundated 31 more revenue villages under seven revenue circles (RC) of the district in addition to 56 revenue villages which were reeling under flood till Saturday.
Flood has inundated four more villages under Narayanpur RC, 4 in Dhakuakhana RC, 23 in Bihpuriya RC, 2 in Kadam RC and 3 in North Lakhimpur RC. The flood caused by River Kakoi has affected Na-Bhagania and Na-Gereki villages. Around 23 villages under Bihpuria RC have been submerged by flood caused by rivers Subansiri and Dikrong. On the other hand, flood caused by River Ranganadi due to release of excess water from the Ranganadi dam since Friday, has inundated Amtola PGR, Kahiduwar and Ligiramukh Chanong villages afresh under North Lakhimpur RC.
According to the report of the district administration, a total of 25,656 people, 1,016.74 hectares of crop areas, 7,556 big animals and 3,794 small animals and 1,825 poultry were affected by the fresh wave of flood on that day. In Dhakuakhana RC, slump down occurred in the upstream of the newly-constructed Bandena check dam for a length of 45 metres due to heavy current of flood water. Moreover, the bamboo foot bridge over River Charikoriya from Kathorbari to Ghilaguri was washed away. Many schools and health centres located at Naoboicha, Bihpuriya and North Lakhimpur RCs are reeling under flood.
On the other hand, the release of the excess water from the Ranganadi dam of Ranganadi Hydro Electric Plant (RHEP) from Friday evening has continued. On Friday, the NEEPCO at first released the excess water from the dam by opening its Gate No. 2 by 200 mm at 5.15 pm. Then the excess water was released through the same gate by opening it by 400 mm from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. At 7.00 pm Dam Gate No 5 was opened by 700 mm, then 400 mm from 5.30 am, 200 mm from 6.30 am, 300 mm from 9.30 am, 800 mm from 10.00 am, 1,300 mm from 10.10am, 2,000 mm from 10.20 am, 2,500 mm from 10.30 mm, 1,500 mm from 12.30 pm, 1,000mm from 2.15 pm, 700 mm from 4.45 pm on Saturday and 500 mm from 3.30 am on Sunday. The gate was opened by 100 mm from 6.45 pm on Sunday till the time of filing this report.
Also watch: How flood water enters people's home