River Noa overflows, several villages submerged

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

KALAIGAON, June 17: The River Noa under Kalaigaon Revenue Circle in Udalguri district has overflowed due to incessant rains and flooded several villages. In Kalaigaon area, Noa River has overflowed due to heavy rainfall since the past few days resulting in flash floods. The flood-affected villages are Bhehguri, Rupatal, Balipara, Hapabari, Gerua, Garubandha and Sagunbahi. Flood-affected people said that they demanded immediate repair of the damaged embankment of Noa river which was ravaged by floods in 2014. Crops were destroyed and nine houses were washed away at that time. Rupatal LP School in Rupatal village was also washed away. The embankment along with the river had given way under the mounting pressure of flood waters and Noa had changed its track through the breach in the embankment in 2015. People alleged that no authority took necessary steps for repair of this embankment. So flash floods occurred due to heavy rains since the past few days and Bhehguri along with several villages were under water on Saturday.

A PWD road, mely Mekenzi, was also under knee-deep water in this area. Meanwhile, the several schools like Uttar Bhehguei LP School, Uttar Bhehguri ME School, Rupatal LP School and Rupatal School decided to postpone their half-yearly examition due to floods. However, people alleged that the higher authority of Udalguri district like the Deputy Commissioner had not visited the flood-affected area and not provided any relief materials for the victims. People also claimed that unless the damaged embankment of river Noa was repaired soon this year, they might face a worse situation. But the government has not taken any proper initiative to repair the damaged embankment since 2014.