Flood hits more than 40 villages across Lakhimpur as NEEPCO releases excess water

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: As a consequence of release of excess water from the reservoir of the NEEPCO operated Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) located at Yazali of Arunachal Pradesh, the flood caused by the Ranganadi River has paralyzed normal life in several villages under North Lakhimpur and Naoboicha Revenue Circles (RC) of Lakhimpur district.

The overflowing water of the river has inundated Borbil, No. 2 Gobarisali, 9/6 Koilamari, Amtola PGR, Khundu Miri, Kharkati under North Lakhimpur RC while the same has severely hit Dezoo Chapori, No 1 Dezoo Pathar, No 2 Dezoo Pathar, 10/13 Grant Dezoo, Kulabil Block, Ujani Khamti, No. 1 Pachnoi Ujani and No. 2 Pachnoi Ujani revenue villages under Naoboicha RC. Flood has submerged most of the residential houses in the affected villages. The members of a family living at Dezoo Chapori were compelled to take shelter on the roof of their house while some others took shelter on trees. However, they were later evacuated to safer places by the local people but no flood relief camp has still been set up by the district administration.

On the other hand, the rapid surge of the excess water released from the Ranganadi dam washed away two bamboo bridges, one at No. 1 Pachnaoi under Naoboicha RC and the other at Amtola under North Lakhimpur RC on Monday night. As a result of it, a lot of people have been stranded on both sides of the river in the downstream areas as the two bridges were the only means of communication for the local people.

The management of the RHEP at first released the excess water through the Radial Gate No 4 of the Ranganadi dam by opening it by 200mm from 1.45pm on Monday. Then the same gate was opened by 3000mm from 3pm, 2800mm from 7.15pm, 2500mm from 9.30pm, 2300mm from 10pm, 2000mm from 11pm and by 1700mm from 11.30pm.

On Tuesday, the RHEP management released the excess water from the dam reservoir through the same gate by opening it by 2500mm from 4.30am, 3000mm from 5.30am, 2800mm from 10.20am, 2500mm from 12.00am, 2200mm from 1.15pm, 2400mm from 5pm and 2600mm from 6.00pm.

On the other hand, more than 20 revenue villages across the North Lakhimpur subdivision have been reeling under flash floods caused by various rivers of the district. The overflowing water of the Subansiri and Kakoi rivers has inundated the Ghagarmukh Baligaon, Na Ali NC, No 1 Morton Chapori, No. 1 Mohijan, No. 2 Mohaijan, No. 3 Mohaijan, Hindu NC, No.1 Hindu, No. 2 Hindu, No.3 Hindu, No. 4 Hindu and Gohain Chapori revenue villages under North Lakhimpur RC.

Similarly, Bhaluka Guri and Purani Bahgora revenue villages under Bihpuriya RC have been hit by flood caused by Dikrong River. The flood caused by the Shingara has also inundated several villages of Borsola-Mogghuli-Pandhowa Gaon Panchayat under Naoboicha RC. Similarly, floods caused by rivers like Pichala, Dropang, Khona Pichala, Sessa and Mori-Pichala have affected several villages under Dhalpur area. The Water Resource Department of Lakhimpur district has reported that the Subansiri, Dikrong, Pabha and Kakoi rivers are flowing above danger level.

As per report found from the district administration, the present wave of flood has affected 334 hectares of crop area, 10,164 people, 1,868 big animals, 1,721 small animals and 2,528 poultry.

On the other hand, the possibility of massive flood has become strong in the district as the Regional Meteorology Centre, Borjhar has forecast heavy downpour in the district in the coming days. The RMC issued warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the isolated places of Lakhimpur district on Tuesday in its district wise Weather Warning Bulletin.

Also read: Floods Situation Still Grim In Assam