GUWAHATI, July 19 ? The overall flood situation in the State aggravated further today with the floodwaters creating havoc in more areas even as the plight of the already affected areas still remained critical. The death toll in the current wave of floods has increased to 68. Floodwaters of the Kopilli and the Killing today overtopped the NH-37 at Palahguri and Nellie disrupting road communication between Lower and Upper Assam on the south bank. Significantly, this was the road through which road communication between the State?s northern part and the rest of the country existed so far since the second wave of floods hit the State on June 24 last.
Following submergence of the railway tracks between Jamunamukh and Jogijan railway stations under the Lumding Division of the NF Railway, today?s 5666 Dn BG Express between Guwahati and Dimapur and the 5603 Up and 5605 Up Intercity Express scheduled to leave the city today, were cancelled by the railway authorities, said an NF Railway press release here this evening. The NF Railway has also regulated today?s 2068 Jan Satabdi Express between Jorhat and Guwahati at Hojai, while it has decided to control the 5959 Up Kamrup Express at Guwahati today, said the press release.
The 5960 Dn Kamrup Express was cancelled at Dimapur, 5604 Dn and 5606 Dn Intercity Express bound for Guwhati were cancelled at Lumding and 4056 Up Brahmaputra Mail arriving Guwhati today and bound for Dibrugarh was short terminated at Guwahati. The 4055 Dn Brahmaputra Mail leaving Dibrugarh at 10 pm today was rescheduled to leave Dibrugarh at 5 am tomorrow, said the press release.
Our correspondents report:
Tinsukia: The overall flood situation in the district remained unchanged today. The worst-affected Sadiya sub-division remained cut off from the mainland since July 17 due to suspension of ferry services. Altogether 126 marooned people were airlifted by the Indian Air Force choppers from Bhimchapori yesterday. The district administration requested the Air Force today also to rescue the marooned people in 13th Mile village, Bhimchapori and West Hologaon under Sadiya mauja. Food packets were airdropped in Amarpur area. So far 25,000 people of 55 villages in Sadiya areas have been affected by the current wave of floods. The administration has set up 13 relief camps to shelter the flood victims of these areas. In Tinsukia sub-division, though the water level has receded, it still remained above the DL in Guijan area. People of 13 villages and nearby tea gardens have been affected by the floodwaters in this area. In Doom Dooma revenue circle, 40 villages have been affected. In the district as a whole, 60 thousand of people of 116 villages have been affected by the current flood wave, in which, 500 cattle heads have been lost.
Doom Dooma: The headquarter town of Sadiya sub-division- Chapakhowa is cut off from the rest of the country due to suspension of the ferry services on the Brahmaputra. This has affected supply of food and other essential items to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh also. Turbulence of the floodwater has posed problems for the administration in sending relief materials to Chilling-Madhupur ME school camp in Amarpur area. About 600 affected people are taking shelter in the camp. The floodwaters have washed away a large number of animals of the Dibru Saikhowa wild life sanctuary, while, the poachers are also having a field day because of the situation. The district administration is also facing paucity of funds for relief operations. Doom Dooma town is also facing a threat because of a breach in the embankment along the Doom Dooma river at Philobari.
Morigaon: The rising water level of the Brahmaputra posed a serious threat to the entire district. So far, five persons have been washed away in Bhuragaon revenue circle in the last 72 hours, taking the death toll to ten in the district. Floodwaters of Kopili and Killing rivers overtopped the National Highway 37 at Palaguri and Nellie, disrupting road communication between lower and Upper Assam in the south bank. Army has been kept on the alert to assist the administration.
Dhemaji: More than 800 villages under Jonai and Dhemaji sub-divisions are under floodwaters. Even the places like Machkhowa and Jonai are also not spared and Dhamaji town is also under threat. Jail inmates in Dhemaji have been shifted to North Lakhimpur. National 52 has been overtopped at Telijan point, about two kilometres from Dhemaji town and at many other places between Gogamukh and Jonai. Meanwhile, Army personnel of 7 Rajputna Rifles are kept on the alert to join the rescue and relief operations in Dhemaji sub-division.
Bokakhat: Over 59,000 people of 56 villages under Bokakhat sub-division have been affected by the current wave of floods and as the situation has deteriorated, most of the villagers, who returned to their villages during the past few days, have come back to the relief camps. The Dhansiri is threatening its embankment at Chinakan-Kuruabahi. If a breach occurs there, it will pose a serious threat to the Kaziranga National Park.
Meanwhile, reports from Jorhat stated that the floodwaters of Brahmaputra breached the Kamalabari block tiniali road and another PWD road at Jugunibhari. The Bor ali near Neamatighat is also facing a threat from floodwaters , while, the marooned people have taken shelter in 12 relief camps in Teok. The Rail and Road Communication to the NC Hills have been snapped. The Kopili river is flowing over the dam at Umrangshu, which will pose a threat to Raha in Nagaon district.