No change in flood scene

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 12: There was not much change in the flood scene in Assam on Friday. Over 3.11 lakh people continue to be affected in 702 villages under 42 revenue circles in 15 districts, the State’s disaster magement agency said. The Brahmaputra was flowing above danger level at Nematighat and Dhubri.

Over 10,844 hectares of crop area has been affected.

The government has opened six relief camps so far.

Flood waters have also inundated large tracts of Kaziranga tiol Park and park authorities said animals, mostly hog deers, have started moving to the highland in the Karbi Anglong hills.

Movement of deers across NH 37 was observed at the First Addition and also at Haldibari.

The park authorities have not enforced card system to regulate speed of vehicles on that stretch of the highway so far.

Teams of the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation have started patrolling the park for rescue of flood-hit animals.

In a high level meeting held this evening at his official residence at Khapara, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi directed Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia to make adequate provisions for foodstuff, medicine, drinking water and other essentials ready for flood-affected people. Gogoi also directed the State administration to do everything for relief and rescue operation in the wake of the flood that has affected 16 districts.

Gogoi also directed the State machinery to take steps for making additiol boats ready which may have to be pressed into service for rescuing affected people. Instruction was also given to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to provide drinking water to affected people along with chlorine sachets for averting any health related hazards.

The Chief Minister also directed the State machinery to maintain constant liaison with the Bhutan administration, along with sharing flood related data to mitigate the impact of flood.  

Meanwhile, CEO of Assam State Disaster Magement Authority PK Tiwari said there would be no dearth of funds for rescue and relief works this time. “The Centre has allocated Rs 460 crore. We have already received the first installment. Ceilings have been sent to districts,” he said.