AMN /GUWAHATI
Flood situation worsens in Assam, as new areas have been inundated. Over 15 lakh people affected in 19 districts in current flood. Official sources said that administration has rescued all affected families as surging water breached Bongaon embankment at Majuli river island in Jorhat. All rescued people have been provided shelter in the embankment.
Flood situation in Barpeta district remained grim yesterday as new areas were submerged by the swirling waters. More than two lakh people of 250 villages have been affected so far. Surface communication in several parts of the district have been devastated, making life miserable for the affected people.
Baghbar and Lalgachia circle areas are the worst affected with 103 and 70 villages respectively. About 18,000 hectares of cropland have been inundated by the flood waters. South, South East and North East parts of the district are reeling under water as the Brahmaputra, Beki, Kaldia, Tihu and Burhadia rivers are in spate since the last few days.
The Kalgachia-Sarbhog Road, Satrakanara-Milijuli Road, Satrakanara-Balajan Road, Salimpur-Jadabpur Road, Baghbar-Moranjaj Road, Kapaha Chowk-Kapaha Madhyapara Road and Mandia- Dighirpar Road have been washed away by the strong currents. Further, the approach to bridge 2/1 on the Satrakanara-Milijuli Road has been washed away.
Flood situation in West Bengal continues to be grim, particularly in the northern part of the state which borders Assam. Rivers in the upper reaches are in spate due to heavy downpour. Embankments of many rivers have breached particularly in districts like Malda, Murshidabad and Jalpaigudi. Some areas in North and South Dinajpur districts also affected. Water from Teesta barrage is being released regularly which is causing floods in low-lying areas. Over 3 lakh people have been marooned, with about two lakh shifted to safer places
Rajnath takes stock of State flood situation
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called up Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to get first-hand information on the latest flood situation in the State.
According to sources, Chief Minister Sonowal apprised the Union Home Minister, in course of a long telephonic discussion this morning, about the latest flood situation in the State and the slew of steps initiated by the State Government for relief, rescue and rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.
The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister that the Central Government would provide all help and assistance to the State Government and would bear the expenses involved in dealing with the flood situation in the State.
Singh also conveyed to the Chief Minister that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been keeping a close tab on the flood situation in Assam and has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend all possible help and support to the flood-affected people in their hour of distress.