Flood fury continues in Lakhimpur, 130 villages under water

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The flood fury continued for the sixth day in Lakhimpur. The present wave of the deluge inundated a total of 130 villages across the district on Sunday, affecting 65,969 people under seven Revenue Circles (RC). Out of them, flood has submerged 49 villages under North Lakhimpur RC, six villages in Naoboicha RC, one village in Kadam RC, 32 villages in Bihpuriya RC, 29 villages in Naraynpur RC, 6 villages in Subansiri RC and 7 villages in Dhakuakhona RC.

However, flood has receded to some extent in North Lakhimpur RC and Naoboicha RC. On the contrary, fury of flood has risen in the Bihpuriya RC resulting in setting up of a flood relief camp at Sakupara LP School. At present a total of 177 people including 106 adult and 71 minor have been taking shelter in the flood relief camp. Similarly, the flood situation in Narayanpur RC, caused by several rapid rivers that originate in Arunachal Pradesh, has remained grim. The people of 49 flood-affected villages under North Lakhimpur RC are suffering a lot. The flood caused by Subansiri and Ranganadi has put the people of Lohit Khabalu and Pachim Telahi Gaon Panchayats into a miserable condition. Similarly, the overflowning water of the mighty Brahmaputra has severely affected the people of Bahir Tekeliphuta, Papung, Modarguri, Bandena, Jogisuti and Bahir Turibari villages under Dhakuakhana subdivision. A total of 130 families have taken shelter on the embankment due to the inundation of their residential houses. The subdivisional administration though supplied flood relief, it was allegedly not considered to be adequate. The livestock have faced severe scarcity of fodder.

On the other hand, the management of the NEEPCO operated Ranganadi Hydro Electric Plant (RHEP) has still been releasing the excess water from the reservoir of the Ranganadi dam since Monday. However, the volume of the released water has decreased since Saturday. The Radial Gate No. 4 of the dam was opened by 1200mm from 5.30am, 1000mm from 6.55am, 800 mm from 11.00am on Saturday, while the same gate was opened by 600mm from 1.30, am on Sunday. The gate has been opened by 200mm since 6.00 am till the time of filing of this report. The overflowing water of the river has posed threat to the embankments, causing erosion on both sides at several spots.

Also read: Flood in Kaziranga, Nagaon Administration Imposed Section 144 CrPC to Tackle Poaching