GUWAHATI, July 23 ? The overall flood situation in the State remained unchanged even on the 30th day of the second wave of the floods today. The number of the affected people has crossed one crore today and the death toll has also shot up to 119. Following an improvement in the weather condition the water levels of the State?s rain-fed rivers have started falling. But the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries Burhidihing, Dhansiri South, Kopilli and Sonkosh are still flowing above the Danger Level (DL) at places. The Barak, the Katakhal and the Kushiyara are also flowing above the DL.
According to the official flood bulletin, there is no change in the overall situation in the worst affected districts of Morigaon, Nagaon, Cachar, Kamrup, Karimganj and Majuli Sub-Division of Jorhat district and North Salmara Sub-Division of Bongaigaon district. However, the water levels of the rivers in the districts of Tinsukia, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi etc have been reported to be receding showing signs of slight improvement in the situation in these districts, said the flood bulletin. The road link between the State?s lower part and the upper part has remained snapped today also because of the submergence of the NHs on both the banks by the floodwaters.
However, the roads from Haflong to the neighbouring areas have been opened today for light vehicles even as the rail communication between the Brahmaputra and the Barak Valley via North Cachar has remained suspended, said an official press release.
Meanwhile there has been no change in the situation of flood-affected sites between Guwahati- Lumding section. Heavy flood has disrupted train services in the section. However, train services between Guwahati and the destinations in the down direction are running as per the normal schedule and goods trains running between Guwahati and these destinations have also been running as usual, said an NF railway press release here this evening. The NF Railway authorities today organised a free food distribution camp for stranded passengers with the help of different voluntary organisations of the city at the Guwahati Railway Station, said the press release.
The State Government today constituted a State-level committee for providing assistance and guidance in matters of extending relief to the flood and erosion-affected people. The 20-member committee, with representatives from all the political parties, will be led by Health Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman as its chairman. Additional Chief Secretary S Kabilan will be its member secretary. In this connection, the State Government has also directed the authorities concerned that district and sub-divisional committees for the purpose should also be formed with the DCs and SDOs (Civil) as their heads in the respective districts and sub-divisions. These committees should also include the representatives of all the political parties and the officials of the departments involved in the relief operations, said an official press release here this evening.
Our Correspondents adds:
Hatsingimari: The flood situation in South Salmara-Mankachar subdivision of Dhubri is still critical, though the floodwaters of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries have slightly receded. Water of the rivers is flowing more than a metre above the danger level. The road communication of the sub-division is still cut off from the rest of the state.Two more persons died today in the flood.
Tangla: Kulsi and Nanoi rivers are still posing a threat to Tangla. Both the rivers have already affected several hundred people and breached roads in many areas, which has resulted in the snapping of communication links. The circle officer of the Harishinga revenue circle was roughed up by some flood affected people. According to reports people of the area had submitted a memorandum regarding the protection of Nanoi embankment in Barhoibasti, but the official had allegedly not responded.
Dhakuakhana: Road links between Dhakuakhana and North Lakhimpur remains cut off for the fifth day today due to Gogamukh-Dhakuakhana PWD road remaining submerged under floodwaters of the Brahmaputra. More than hundred villages under Subansiri revenue circle remained under floodwaters. The erosion of the River Charikania has been posing a serious threat to Dhakuakhana College, the local hospital as well as several other institutions.
Dhing: Dwipen Barua (21) and Tarun Nath (20), both students of Dhing College, were drowned today in the surging waters of the Brahmaputra in Doomdomiya area while they were trying to swim across.
Diphu: Altogether 123 villages were badly affected and 9088 hectares of crops damaged by the recent floods.
Dhubri: Water level of the Brahmaputra is maintaining a rising trend near Dhubri. Gauripur, Bilasipara and Dhubri towns are under knee deep to waist deep water and people have taken shelter in 82 relief camps. About 37 mobile health teams have been rendering service among the flood-affected people.
Udalguri: Udalguri district has remained cut off for the last one week due to the havoc caused by the floods. More than 40,000 hectares of cropland had been destroyed by the waters of the Golondi, Jiyadhanshri, Bharla, Bikhaiti and Rowta. Over 200 villages have also been inundated while PWD roads between Bhairabkunda-Udalguri, Harisinga-Bengbari-Paneri-Tangla, have been eroded. Sources in Bengbari villages said that they saw four bodies floating on the waters of the Bharla on July 20. According to the Udalguri district administration, the recent floods have destroyed property worth Rs 35 crore. It also said that about 9164 hectares of agricultural land was swept away while 4273 families were affected. A total of 22,529 families have been affected by the floods in the district where 15 relief camps have been opened.
Azara: The flood situation in south Kamrup remained grim following breach of the Palasbari-Gumi dyke at Simina-Guimara, Sapathuri, Sulikat, Satrapara, Makadhuj, Dhalipur, Kendurtal, Bartar, Jiyakur, Kukurmara and Amtala under Palasbari circle. Other parts of Chaygaon circle has also been inundated by the waters of the Brahmaputra. More than 2 lakh people have been affacted by the floods and about 200 houses have been washed away. The marooned people are taking shelter at several relief camps and the remaining part of the dyke. The flood hit people are not being provided adequate relief materials and other necessary services by the district administration. On the other hand the flood situation in Garigaon improved today. About 5000 cattle and farmers of Dharapur-Garal-Bhattapara have been shifted to Majali char.