Gods must be angry!

Torrential rain, thunderstorms across Assam

CM assesses situation, announces relief for farmers

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, April 20: Heavy rainfall in the last few days has hit normal life across the State, affecting trains services and causing damage, including landslides at isolated places.

Train movement was temporarily suspended since Tuesday in Dima Hasao district, before it was restored on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today reviewed disaster preparedness at an emergency meeting and issued necessary instructions to officials concerned for tackling any likely calamity, besides stocking up on essentials.

Gogoi announced monetary compensation to farmers whose crops have been damaged by storm and torrential rains lashing the State for the last few days.

The CM also emphasized on the need for preparedness to meet eventualities in times of other tural disasters like earthquake. He also asked the officials to identify landslide prone areas in Guwahati.

State Agriculture minister Rakibul Hussain said two committees have been formed to assess the extent of damage across the State and submit its reports within April 23 next. One committee is headed by Horticulture director TD Hanse and the other by Agriculture department joint secretary Kailash Das.

 "The chief minister has instructed that all damage be assessed and reports submitted within three days. We will put up these reports before the disaster magement authority, with request for compensation to affected farmers," Hussain said.

Meanwhile, running of trains was temporarily suspended as a precautiory measure in parts of Dima Hasao district since yesterday, where road traffic has also been affected due to landslides triggered by incessant rains.

Train services were later restored this noon after inspection of the tracks.

In Guwahati, one person was injured when a portion of a guard wall and toilet of his neighbour's residence collapsed in Jyotigar area of the city last night due to incessant rain.

Artificial floods also affected different parts of the city.