Dhemaji, Aug. 16: Torrential rain in the Upper Assam districts and the adjoining hills of Arunachal Pradesh further aggravated the flood situation in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts.

The situation partially improved in some areas today but floodwaters from the Kumatia river breached 150 metres of an embankment, inundating Adarsha village in Dhemaji district.

All the rivers in the district were in spate yesterday. A six-year-old boy, Hara Tayung, drowned in the Jonai yesterday while another three-year-old boy, Raj Pegu, drowned at Namani Dihiri Mising village near Dhemaji today. With the deaths of the children, the toll in the current wave of flood in the district has gone up to four since August 12.

Altogether 199 villages of the district in four revenue circles are inundated. A total of 4,527 hectares of agricultural land, along with 79,900 people, were affected. Nine relief camps and four shelter points have been opened by the district administration in which 14,895 people are taking shelter. A total of 4,030 big animals, 4,180 small ones and 7,629 poultry have been impacted.

The administration has distributed 2,511.16 quintals of rice, 409.38 quintals of pulses, 143.12 quintals of salt and 2,120 pieces of tarpaulin along with candles, matchboxes and baby food among the affected. The administration has also set up plants at different points for distribution of packaged drinking water.

Road connectivity to different destinations in Arunachal Pradesh was disrupted because of landslides at various places. Water from the Jiadhal/Kumatia rivers even inundated National Highway 37, that runs from Baihata in lower Assam's Kamrup district to Wakro in Arunachal Pradesh, affecting communication briefly today.

The Dhemaji district administration restored traffic for small vehicles late in the afternoon. The flood situation in Majuli district is still grim with 79 revenue villages reeling under water where 10,875 hectares of standing crops are reported to be damaged. Seven relief camps are functioning in the district. Deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha and superintendent of police Baibhav Nimbalkar, along with other officers, are monitoring the relief and rescue operations.

In Lakhimpur district, nearly 96 villages, comprising 36,585 people, have been inundated by the Subansiri, Ranganadi, Singara and Dikrong rivers. The woes are compounded by the release of water from the Ranganadi hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh since yesterday.

Garo hills scene

A high-level meeting between the West Garo Hills administration and MLAs of the plains region today announced 14 days' gratuitous relief for the flood-affected people of the district, adds Saidul Khan from Tura.

"The picture is really grim and there is as much water as there was in 2014. The lack of a strong current is the only saving grace. People have been living on the roofs of their houses," said deputy commissioner Pravin Bakhsi after a survey of the affected areas. The flood victims had taken shelter on the road along with cattle and their belongings.