As Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Assam, Brahmaputra Nears 'Danger Level' in Guwahati

Guwahati: With torrential rains lashing several parts of Assam since Saturday, the mighty Brahmaputra river is perilously close to reaching 'danger level' in Guwahati city, the thriving metropolitan hub and economic epicentre of the state.

"Water has been rising since 11 pm of May 16. It was initially rising by 1-2 centimetres, but now the rise in the level gas risen significantly higher. Now, the water level is at 47.95 metres. The danger level in Guwahati is 49.68 metres. If it rises by a further 173 centimetres, the river will reach danger level", Sarat Chandra Kalita, an employee of the Central Water Commission that is keeping a close watch on the proceedings, informed The Sentinel Digital on Wednesday.

Sounding an alert, the CWC has said that due to combined effect of Brahmaputra and Kopili rivers which are rising rapidly amid unrelenting rains, there is likelihood of severe flood in Guwahati DC Court also, from tomorrow onwards.

At the same time, the regional MET department in Guwahati has forecast very heavy rainfall over Assam tomorrow as well, which signals at grim times for the people of the region in the times ahead.

River Kopili, which is a southern tributary of the Brahmaputra confluencing Brahmaputra upstream of Guwahati at Kheronighat in Karbi Anglong district is rising rapidly and is within 0.63 m of its highest flood level and is rising at a rate of 0.05m per hour presently, the CWC has informed via a tweet moments earlier.

First Wave of Floods:

It is pertinent to mention here that Assam has already been hit hard by the first wave of floods, and 1,94,916 persons across 7 Assam districts (Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Darrang, Nalbari, Goalpara, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia) have been affected as on Tuesday, the Government said in its daily report. At the same time, 8,971 people have been forced into the relief camps set up by the Government.

At the same time, 11,104 large animals, 2,354 small animals, and 3,005 poultry have been affected due to the flash floods, but thankfully, not a single one has been washed away. The flash floods have also affected 1,007 hectares of crop land. Meanwhile, the Jia Bharali river in Sonitpur and the Brahmapurta river in Jorhat districts have risen above 'danger level', giving rise to alarm in the respective districts.

It is pertinent to mention here that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday stated that he has directed all Deputy Commissioners to set up separate cells to carry out relief and rescue operations expeditiously during flood. He observed that the district administrations have already geared up with all preparations to deal with flood and said that they have been directed to provide all possible support to the people affected by flood.

Following through on the Chief Minister's promise, the Assam Cabinet has resolved to provide relief to flood victims as per the Relief Manual of the Government and the Deputy Commissioners have been asked for ensuring stock of adequate relief materials and the repair of embankments.

ALSO WATCH: Cotton University boarders in frenzy as government decides to turn hostels into quarantine centres