‘Inquiry to be ordered into breaches in embankments’

A Correspondent

Hailakandi, June 19: State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta said the government would order inquiry into breaches in embankments that occurred in the first wave of floods in Assam. Talking to mediapersons in Hailakandi after visiting the erosion-affected areas and embankment breaches at Lala in Hailakandi district, Patharkandi in Karimganj and Gosaigaon in Cachar district on Sunday, Mahanta said that the government would order inquiry into breaches in embankments across the State that aggravated the flood situation and would not spare the officials and the contractors if found guilty. Mahanta said that he made a whirlwind visit to assess the flood situation in Barak Valley at the direction of the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in worst-hit Hailakandi district slightly improved with the water levels of Katakhal, Dholeswari and Barak rivers receding in the past 24 hours. However, the three rivers are still flowing above the danger level. Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan has been visiting the affected areas taking stock of the situation and directed the departments concerned, particularly the Public Health Engineering and Health departments to provide purified drinking water and medical treatment to the affected people. Around 81,703 inmates are lodged in 110 relief camps opened by the administration. Of the 331 villages, 235 have been hit, rendering many homeless.

Altogether 2,05,762 people have been affected in the district. Around 316 persons have been evacuated by SDRF and NDRF personnel in Lala and Algapur revenue circles. The death toll in flood-related incidents in the district has risen to two, with the recovery of a body on Monday. Relief operation is going on in full swing with 4447.71 quintals of rice, 837.82 quintals of dal and 251.87 quintals of salt distributed amongst the affected people. Around 200 quintals of wheat bran have been provided to 2,03,900 affected livestock, big and small.