Brahmaputra crosses red mark in Guwahati

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Aug 22: Surging waters of the Brahmaputra crossed the danger mark in Guwahati on Saturday morning even as the flood situation in the State remained unchanged, with the number of displaced persons increasing from 1.22 lakh to 1.80 lakh overnight.

There was panic in Sopur area in the evening after the Kamrup metropolitan administration made announcements asking people to stay alert as sluice gates of the Umtru dam in Meghalaya may be opened anytime due to rising water levels.

"The Brahmaputra was flowing at 49.69 m against the danger level of 49.68 m in Guwahati. The trend is rising," said a bulletin from the Kamrup metropolitan administration. Ferry services and boat operations in the river have been suspended by the administration, while people have been asked to stay away from water-related activities near the river.

Officials cautioned that the river is in spate in the city and water level might increase further.

The flood report issued by the Assam State Disaster Magement Authority said eight rivers were flowing above the danger level in the State, affecting 1,417 villages in 48 revenue circles of 17 districts.

Over 12,600 hectares of crop area has been submerged by flood waters.

The State government has put the number of flood-affected population at 6.55 lakh, of which 1.80 lakh are in 270 relief camps set up in six districts.

Though the official death toll is said to be four, sources said at least five others are missing.

The army and NDRF are engaged in relief and rescue operations besides the district administration and SDRF teams.

Reports of large-scale infrastructure damage are pouring in from the flood-hit districts.

Meanwhile, more misery seems to be in store for the State with the weatherman predicting more rain and thundershowers in the next five days in the region.