Flood scene still critical in Assam; Barak bearing the brunt

Season's flood and landslide toll touches 100 mark

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Though the flood situation has improved slightly in Central and Lower Assam districts, the situation in the Barak Valley continues to worry the State Government. Overall flood situation in the state is critical.

With 12 more deaths from various areas in the state reported today, the total flood and landslide toll in this flood season has risen to 100.

Rescuers from NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), Indian Army, and others are in rescue operations in the affected areas.

A PWD bridge over the Ghilabari River caved in near Biswanath Chariali last night, leading to the snapping of connectivity to several villages in the area. The road communication also suffered a setback as the NH-15 is still underwater near the NRL petrol depot in the Mangaldai area in the Darrang district.

The surging waters of the Kopili and the Kolong continue to create havoc in Kampur and Raha.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma went by train to flood-affected areas in Chaparmukh, Kampur and Raha today in the Nagaon and Morigaon districts. He went to the relief camps and interacted with the inmates. As he saw infants and pregnant women in such camps, he instructed the district administration to ensure the supply of baby food and nutritious food for pregnant women and lactating mothers. The affected people informed the Chief Minister of the damage to their property. The Chief Minister also visited some affected areas in the district with rubber boats.

Talking to The Sentinel, ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) CEO (Chief Executive Officer) GD Tripathi said, "We did seek eight NDRF and as many Indian Army rescue teams. And we got them. They are in rescue operations in the affected areas. Rescuers from other agencies are also in rescue operations with boats. The flood situation in Central Assam and Lower Assam has improved slightly. The State Government's main cause of concern now is the Barak Valley districts, where the flood situation is critical. The breaches of some embankments in the valley lead to the inundation of new areas. Since the Barak is full to the brim, it is impossible to mend the breached embankments. We will mend the breaches after the floodwater recedes."

The Chief Minister is likely to visit the Barak Valley tomorrow.

The flood has affected 54,57,601 people in 4,941 villages under 112 revenue circles in 32 districts in the state. The state has 845 relief camps giving shelter to 2,71,125 inmates.

The Brahmaputra, the Kopili and the Disang rivers are flowing above the danger levels in various places.

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