Bhutan Reservoir Water Worsens Flood Situation In Assam

GUWAHATI: Excess water released from Bhutan’s Kurichhu Hydropower Plant flooded seven western Assam districts on Thursday even as the death toll from the floods rose to 76 including the two in landslides earlier, in the State. The release of excess water from the reservoir in Bhutan worsened the flood situation in Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Dhubri and South Salmara districts. During the last 24 hours, one person died in floods at Gauripur in Dhubri district stated a release of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.

As on Thursday, 34,92, 734 people are affected in 2,753 villages of 67 revenue circles across 18 districts viz. Dhemaji, Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat and Cachar.

Presently, 1,95,159 inmates are still taking shelter in 833 Relief Camps operational in the districts of Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat and Jorhat districts while 102 Relief Distribution Centres are functioning in the districts of Lakhimpur, Udalguri, Darrang, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, South Salmara, Kamrup, Morigaon, and Golaghat.

The rivers flowing above the danger level are the Brahmaputra at Neamatighat in Jorhat and Dhubri; the Jia Bharali at NT Road Crossing in Sonitpur; the Puthimari at NT Road Crossing in Kamrup; the Manas at NH Road Crossing in Barpeta; and the Beki at Road Bridge in Barpeta.

Rescue operations are being carried out by personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, Civil administration, Army with help from local people at the affected areas at Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, and Morigaon. A total of 74 boats were deployed in these areas from where 1,072 were evacuated on Thursday.

Altogether 1,404 houses were partially damage whereas 534 others were fully damaged, stated the release.

Total crop area affected as on Thursday is 1, 30,383.70 hectare. Meanwhile there are reports of 13 large animals and three smaller ones being washed away.

DFO Eastern Assam division has informed that water level receded approximately 170 cm in Kaziranga National Park but 15 camps are still inundated. A total of 208 wildlife deaths have been reported since July 13. The carcass of rhino male calf was recovered on July 24 at Pobitora under Mayong Revenue Circle, reported District Disaster Management Authority.

Erosion has been reported from several places in Udalguri and Baksa. Embankments have been eroded or damaged at a number of places in Barpeta and Biswanath; road damages have been reported from Nalbari, Dhubri, Barpeta, Chirang and Baksa; bridges and culverts at Barpeta while other infrastructure damages have taken place Morigaon, and Bongaigaon. Four schools are submerged in Barpeta.

Also Read: Flood situation remains grim in Bongaigaon for three-days long continuous heavy showers