Lakhimpur district rivers in spate; floods affect 2,970 people

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Due to incessant and torrential rain during the past few days, the major rivers in Lakhimpur district are flowing in spate. As per report from the District Water Resources Department, the water levels of almost all the rivers in the district are rising day-by-day. At present the water level of the mighty Brahmaputra is rising at Jamuguri. Similarly, water levels of rivers like Subansiri, Ranganadi, Dikrong, Dorpang and Sessa (Pichala) are also rising.

In the meantime, the overflowing water of River Kakoi has inundated several revenue villages like Namoni Dorge, Kadam Bagan Gaon, Kadam Boro Gaon, Kadam Na-Bhagania and Kadam Mising Gaon under Kadam Revenue Circle (RC). Similarly, flash flood caused by the Dikrong has affected Bongali Gaon under Bihpuriya RC. On the other hand, the deluge of the River Sessa hit normal life in the larger Rangajan area, washing almost a 7-metre stretch of road on Monday, penetrating through its unplugged embankment which was damaged in 2017. The flood caused by the river has inundated Rangajan Dafala Gaon, Sessa Mising Gaon, Rangajan Mising Gaon, Bashishthapur, Navapur, Ouguri, Rajabari, Rangajan, Phutabhog, Kalmouguri and Majordoloni under Narayanpur. The crop lands and fisheries of the area have been affected by the wave of the flash flood.

The release of excess water from the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Plant (RHEP) operated by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) continued through the River Ranganadi for the fifth day. On Monday, the excess water from the catchment area of the RHEP was continuously released by opening the Dam Gate No. 5 by 1000mm from 10.00 am, by 1200mm from 3.00pm and by 900mm from 8pm. On Tuesday, water was released through the same Dam Gate opening by 600mm from 2.30 am, by 400mm from 6.00 am and by 500mm from 9.30am. The Dam Gate was opened by 1100mm from 3.00 till the filing of this report. As a result of it, the flood situation of almost 10 villages under the Pachim Telahi GP, including Amtola, Bongaon, Shantipur, Moluwal, Dowarpar, Kathalguri and Chanong Gaon under North Lakhimpur RC and larger Panchnoi area under Naoboicha RC remained the same, thereby affecting people and livestock. A total of 2,970 people, 375 hectares of crop area, 763 big animals and 338 small animals were affected by the present wave of flood on Tuesday as per report from the district administration.