A Correspondent
Numaligarh: With heavy rains lashing the State and most parts of the north-eastern States for the last three days, there has been a flood-like situation in the Dhansiri riverside low-lying areas of Golaghat.
On Monday, the Golaghat district administration issued flood alerts to the people of sensitive areas near the Dhansiri River. The issued flood alert stated that due to heavy rainfall in the upstream areas, the water level of Dhansiri River is rising above the danger level and most of the villages under Sarupathar revenue circle have been affected by flood. The water level of Doyang Hydro Electric Plant (DHEP) NEEPCO is also in rising trend and the water level of Doyang River is also rising. The flood alert further stated that there were vulnerable locations along the banks of rivers Dhansiri and Doyang where overtopping had started and there is a possibility of occurrence of breach and more villages are likely to be affected and flooded under Gomariguri, Golaghat, Morangi, Khumtai and Bokakhat Development Blocks.
Till the filing of this report, many villages alongside the banks of Dhansiri River at Numaligarh-Morangi area had witnessed overtopping of roads and paddy-fields by rising water. The rising water of River Dhansiri was flowing over the Dhuliagaon-Dukhutimukh connecting road by Monday evening.
In recent year floods, people living in this Dhuliagaon-Dukhutimukh area were severely affected. As per data received from CWC (Central Water Commission) website, the water level of Dhansiri is showing a rising trend and for the next few hours if the water level continues to rise, the situation may worsen in these areas. Other areas like Mitha Aam Chapori and Jathipotia near Doigrung are also under threat of rising water level of Dhansiri River. A source added that if the water level of Dhansiri River increases just by one foot or so, these village and other adjoining villages will be submerged under water. Likewise, other villages near Kamargaon and Bokakhat are also seem to be under threat. Both Dhansiri and Doyang rivers are flowing above danger mark and if the hydro-electrical power project of NEEPCO releases more water through its radial gates, it will be a nightmare for the people of Golaghat.
Thousands acres of rice cropland in most villages of Bokakhat and Sarupathar are reported to be submerged under water already. Other seasonal croplands are also reported to be under water in most parts of the Dhansiri subdivision. “We are fully prepared for any unwanted scenario. Rescue and relief teams are on high alert and on standby,” a district administration official stated.