Guwahati: The first spell of the flood has affected over 20,000 people in the Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of north Assam.
According to the Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 21,000 people in four districts in Assam were affected in the first spell of a flood, which hit the north Assam districts on June 14. Lakhimpur district has been the worst affected, and a total of 20,768 people, including 2448 children, have been affected alone in the district, ASDMA stated.
Due to heavy rains in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the water level of the Singra River in the Lakhimpur district suddenly rose. The Singra River breached two embankments in the Lakhimpur district at around 11 am. On June 14, over 21 villages were under flood water in no time. Flood-affected villagers said such was the force of the water after breaching the embankment that destroyed more than 50 houses in a village on its way.
A total of five embankments and six roads in different districts have also been damaged due to continuous rainfall and flood, the ASDMA stated.
Following incessant rain, the water level of many rivers, including the Brahmaputra, is rising in several places. Besides floods, erosion is also causing huge damage in many parts of the state.
A total of 21 villages under five revenue circles are currently underwater, and 1787 animals are also affected in the deluge. Six revenue circles of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts, namely Naoboicha, Bihpuria, Narayanpur, North Lakhimpur and Kadam, are under floodwater now. On the other hand, four major rivers, namely Ranganadi, Dikrong, Pabho and Kakoi and their sub-tributaries, are rising fast due to insistent rain, ASDMA stated.
The first spell of flood waters submerged 135 hectares of cropland in the flood-affected districts.
Given the onset of the Monsoon, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 12 held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners and other senior officers of the state administration to put in place all necessary steps and ramp up flood preparedness and response system.
CM Sarma said, “With the monsoon setting in, in the state, all the government departments, including National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF ) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), should become alert to negotiate with the flood and reach out to the affected people.”
CM Sarma also asked the state disaster management authority to activate risk communication and early warning systems to warn the people against potential flood threats.
