Water Resources Minister visits flood-hit Barak Valley

A Correspondent

Hailakandi, June 17: Minister for Water Resources, Keshab Mahanta visited the flood-hit Barak Valley on Sunday. On his arrival from Karimganj, the Water Resources Minister accompanied by Chief Engineer, Water Resources, Borsing Rongpi and OSD to Water Resources Minister, Dibakar Bhattacharjee, went to the worst flood-hit Lala revenue circle where he inspected the embankment breach site. The officials of the district administration and water resources briefed the minister about the prevailing flood situation in the district and the slew of steps initiated to provide succour to the affected people. At the Hailakandi Circuit House, Mahanta met representatives of different organizations and flood-affected people and assured them that the government would extend all possible assistance to the affected people. Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan and local MLA Anowar Hussain Laskar were also present.

Earlier, the minister toured the Gosaigaon erosion-affected areas under Udarbond revenue circle in Cachar district. Then he visited the flood-hit Patharkandi in Karimganj district and inspected the embankment breach site. The minister held a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Hailakandi, Cachar and Karimganj and officials of Water Resources department at Silchar Circuit House in the evening.

The flood has damaged 11 roads and 1,468 hectares of cropland affecting 23,732 farm families of 223 villages, officials said. Deputy Commissioner Khan has asked the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to ensure fodder to over 2 lakh affected animals, small and big and poultry. Wheat bran was lifted from Silchar on Sunday for the affected livestock. Piped water supply has been disrupted in the municipal areas of Hailakandi town, Lala town and in South Hailakandi areas following dislocation of pipes that are four-five feet under water. All examinations in Cachar district have been postponed, as most of the schools are under water. Executive Engineer, Public Health Engineering, Hailakandi Division, AN Choudhury said the department was trying its utmost to restore water supply in the affected areas soon.