THAT SINKING FEELING RETURNS
Dhemaji: The Dhemaji district administration in Upper Assam on Friday suspended ferry services between Bogibeel and Kareng Chapori, with the Brahmaputra crossing its highest flood level along the stretch following unprecedented rain in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh over the past five days.
The rain paralysed the lives of people in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur. Majuli district is facing the threat of floods too. The swelling river compelled Neepco authorities at Yajuli in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh to open three gates of Ranganadi dam on Thursday.
The Lakhimpur district administration had on Thursday evening alerted people to be cautious but not panic over the release of excess water from Ranganadi reservoir.
The level of the dam had swelled above its danger mark, compelling the authorities to release water. The report said the main gate and gate 5 were opened on Thursday and gate 5 was reopened on Friday as well. Lower Subansiri district has received 400mm rainfall in the last 24 hours. “Our villagers have experienced last year’s devastation, so we have taken shelter on the embankments,” Joy Prakash Das of Amtola in Lakhimpur said, adding that the administration had not come forward to help them.
The release of dam water has submerged 76 villages in Lakhimpur district, impacting nearly 25,000 people. The swirling waters have damaged 3,560 hectares of standing crop.
On March 11 last year, release of dam water had resulted in the Ranganadi wreaking havoc in 220 villages, breaching embankments at Amtola and near Lakhimpur.
Dhemaji district, known for its perennial floods, is teetering on the brink with 173 villages inundated, affecting 47,471 people. Nearly 7,108 hectares of standing crop have been damaged. The district administration has opened three relief camps where 805 inmates have taken shelter.
The administration has distributed 221.82 quintals of rice, 37.71 quintals of pulses and 11.32 quintals of salt among the affected people. Nearly 2,529 cattle and 3,855 poultry have been affected.
Dhemaji deputy commissioner R.A. Korati said all departments were on alert to meet any eventuality and officers have been sent to flood-affected areas.
A large chunk of RCC protection wall erected near a tourist guesthouse was on Friday washed away at Aalo, the West Siang district headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Yomgo, which, flowing through the town, meets the Siang to merge with the Brahmaputra in Assam, is in spate. The disaster management department is keeping vigil.
Bijoy Tanti, 22, of Kamalpur village under Gogamukh revenue district in Dhemaji, drowned in floodwaters on Thursday. Korati said an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh was handed over to his mother on Friday.
A portion of bridge number 693 over Jiadhal river between Dhemaji and Bordoloni stations has been washed away.
NF Railways said eight trains have been short terminated /cancelled.
