No let-up in floods; Heavy vehicles are allowed up to Jatinga, but Halflong is still cut-off

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: There is no let-up in rains and flood fury in the state. Almost every district of the state has experienced the wrath of floods that has dealt a severe blow to the Barak Valley, Dima Hasao and Hojai. A person died in the Darrang district in the past 24 hours.

The Haflong town continues to remain cut off by road and rail. Of course, the NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) opening the 1.3-km-long NH tunnel near Maibong and allowing heavy vehicles to ply up to Jatinga is a respite. The supply chain has now reached up to Jatinga in the hill district.

Talking to The Sentinel, ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) CEO GD Tripathi said, "The government is keeping a close watch on the situation. The NHAI opened one side of the national highway up to Jatinga for heavy vehicles. It has cleared the tunnel near Maibong. The NHAI will need a week to open the national highway up to the Barak Valley. The road to Haflong town remained cut off. It is still a cause of concern for the government."

Meanwhile, the army plunged into rescue operations following the flood situation turning critical in the Hojai district. Following an instruction from the Chief Minister, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta reached Hojai last night and reviewed the flood situation. The minister visited several flood-affected areas and relief camps this morning. According to the local populace, it is the worst-ever flood after 2004 in the district. The minister instructed the district administration to provide adequate relief materials to the affected people.

Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika is taking stock of the flood situation in Lanka.

Meanwhile, the surging water of the Saktola River inundated the National Highway-15 near Mangaldai. The water of the river breached an embankment yesterday.

According to ASDMA sources, the rivers flowing above the danger level are the Kopili at Dharamtul and Kampur and the Disang at Nanglamuraghat in the Sivasagar district

The deluge affected 70 revenue circles in 27 districts with a population of 6,62,385 in 1,413 villages in the state. The authorities set up 135 relief camps where 48,304 inmates are taking shelter. The crop area affected in the state is 46,160.43 hectares.

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