Flood worsens in Lakhimpur; 154 revenue villages reeling under water

LAKHIMPUR: The flood situation of Lakhimpur worsened on Wednesday with the water levels of the major rivers in the district keep rising.

The overflowing rivers of the district like Subansiri, Kakoi, Sampora, Kumatiya, Singara, Pabho, Dikrong, Pisala and Sessa has inundated multiple number of villages across the district afresh. The flood caused by these rivers has inundated a total of 154 revenue villages under seven Revenue Circles (RC) of the district. The flood caused by River Subansiri and Ranganadi has affected a total 47 new villages under North Lakhimpur RC. River Subansiri has created a critical situation in the flood-affected villages under Bihpuriya and Narayanpur RCs. River Ranganadi also wreaked havoc in the downstream area after oberflowing due to the release of excess water from the catchment area of the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Plant (RHEP), operated by NEEPCO, located at Yazali in Arunachal Pradesh.

At present, 17 villages under Subansiri RC, 22 villages under Dhakuakhana RC, 19 villages under Naoboicha RC, 30 villages under Narayanpur RC, 18 villages under Bihpuriya RC and one village under Kadam RC and 47 villages under North Lakhimpur RC are reeling under flash flood.

As per report from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), a total of 1,03,069 people, 2734.60 hectares of crop areas, 24,228 big animals, 10,769 small animals and 11,268 poultry have been severely affected by the present wave of the deluge. Livestock are suffering due to lack of fodder while the affected people have lost their livelihood at a time when they have already been financially hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The district administration on Wednesday distributed relief items at four points, viz, Lahowal Tiniali, Mohbol Tiniali, Ubhota Sampora village and Chelajan Kachari village under Subansiri RC.

The present wave of flash flood has damaged lot of infrastructure in the affected areas. An agriculture bundh was breached at Aunibari Tikari village under Narayanpur RC on Wednesday. Similarly, River Pabho breached another agriculture bundh at No. 46 Tunijan under Naoboicha RC. Flood has submerged the Ga-Dangarchuk to Konwarbari Road under Subansiri RC from chainage 800.00M to chainage 2500M and damaged the road surface along with three culverts. The flood caused by River Kherkota damaged and partially washed away the bamboo bridge along the Balideuri Road.

On the other hand, NEEPCO has been releasing excess water from the Ranganadi Dam since Monday night in a regulated manner. The excess water was released from the dam by opening the Dam Gate No. 5 by 200mm from 10.10pm on Monday night, by 400mm from 6.30am, by 100 mm from 2.30pm, by 300 mm from 9.00pm, by 500 mm from 9.45pm on Tuesday, by 300mm from 6.00am, by 200mm from 4.00pm on Wednesday. The same Dam Gate has been opened by 100mm from 4.30pm till the time of filing this report.

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