Assam Floods: Rivers flowing above danger mark; deluge leaves 5 dead

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The floods in the state are gradually taking a turn for the worse, with 6 rivers, including the Brahmaputra, crossing the danger level today. The situation has come to such a pass that ferry services between Neamatighat of Jorhat and Majuli were suspended until the water level decreases. The Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level at Neamatighat and Dibrugarh.

In the first wave of the floods in the state, the rivers in spate in Arunachal Pradesh flowing into Assam have led to the water level in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries showing a rising trend. According to the Central Water Commission (CWC) report in the morning today, the Brahmaputra River is flowing above the danger level at two places—Dibrugarh and Neamatighat. Moreover, the entire stretch of the Red river from Tezpur to Dhubri is displaying a rising trend.

Ferry services from both Aphalamukh and Kamalabari ghats on the Majuli side of the Brahmaputra River to Neamatighat in Jorhat have been suspended, snapping the only means of connectivity between the mainland at Jorhat and the river island of Majuli.

The Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in the Golaghat district is also flowing above the danger level. The Kopili River in Kampur of Middle Assam is also flowing above the danger mark. The other rivers flowing above danger level are Katakhal (Matizuri), Barak (B.P. Ghat) and Kushiyara (Sribhumi). Meanwhile, the Subansiri, Burhidihing, Dikhow, Disang, Jia Bharali, Beki, Manas, Gaurang and Sankosh rivers are still flowing below the danger mark, but a rising trend in the water level has been marked.

Already, an embankment at Kampur was breached last night and flood waters submerged a considerable area. This has been attributed to excess water being released into the Kopili River from the Khandong Dam of the Kopili hydroelectric project. Last night, a sluice gate was also damaged near Disangmukh at Mamol Garbhanga in the Sivasagar district, and water from the Brahmaputra River flowed unhindered into adjoining areas. Coming to the Barak Valley, an embankment on the Katakhal River in the Hailakandi District was also breached last night.

According to an Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report, 56 revenue circles in 19 districts of the state have been affected in the first wave of floods until Sunday. The flood-affected districts are Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Hailakandi, Hojai, Kamrup, Dhemaji, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Darrang, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, Dima Hasao, Biswanath, Cachar, Sivasagar, Majuli, Golaghat, Tinsukia, and West Karbi Anglong. A total population of around 3.64 lakh people in 764 villages has been affected.

So far, the toll on human lives is 5—with 1 in Lakhimpur district, 2 persons in Golaghat district, 1 in Nagaon district and 1 in Sribhumi district perishing in the floods.

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma took to his official X handle to say, “Flood Alert for Assam. Heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh — Kibitoo (17 cm), Hayuliang (15 cm), Kalaktang (10 cm) — may lead to a sharp rise in river levels downstream. Assam is already witnessing intense rain in Silchar (42 cm), Karimganj (35 cm), Hailakandi (30 cm) and in nearby areas. People in low-lying and riverbank areas are advised to stay alert and follow local advisories. Stay safe, stay prepared.”

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