Flood situation worsens; lower Assam districts worst affected

 OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI/KOKRAJHAR: Following incessant rains for the past couple of days, the flood situation in Assam has worsened. The situation has been aggravated due to the release of excess water from the Kurichhu Dam in Bhutan.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “We are keeping a constant vigil on the situation in various districts of lower Assam.”

Floods have affected a population of 67,689 in the State. Till yesterday, the number of flood-affected districts was 10. Today, the number increased to 17. Among these, the worst affected districts are Chirang, Bongaigaon and Baksa. While the number of affected villages was 179 yesterday, today the number shot up to 317. The Brahmaputra, Beki, Buridihing and Sankosh rivers are flowing above the danger level.

After the release of excess water from the Kurichhu Dam, many people in the low-lying areas of the Chirang district had to be evacuated. Chirang has the highest number of inmates in relief camps. There are at present 78 relief camps in the State where 4,531 people are taking refuge. Among them, 3,436 relief camp inmates are in the Chirang district. Rains in Meghalaya resulted in flooding in the Jorabat area today due to which vehicles were stranded for many hours.

OUR KOKRAJHAR CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Several parts of the Chirang district have been inundated by flood waters following the breach of the Khanamakra bundh along the Indo-Bhutan border on Wednesday.

Due to the breach of the Khanamakra bundh, several villages like Khungkrajhora, Rangijhora, and Gobdapara under Borobazar Development Block in the Chirang district have been inundated, forcing villagers to take shelter in relief camps. Sources said that there seems no chance of immediate respite as the rains continue.

Dominic Basumatary, a prominent person of the area, told The Sentinel that villagers have lost their properties. Floods have damaged crops and plantations. He further said that villagers have been forced to take shelter in relief camps.

Meanwhile, sources from DIPRO, Kokrajhar said that the water level of most of the rivers in the Kokrajhar district was rising due to heavy rains. The district administration has alerted people and officials have been asked to remain prepared for any eventuality in the district.

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