The flood situation in Assam has taken a turn for the worse, with six fatalities reported and over 3.5 lakh people affected across 11 districts as of Friday. The relentless rainfall following Cyclone Remal has disrupted road and rail communication, leaving many stranded.
Three separate incidents claimed the lives of three individuals in Cachar, two in Hailakandi, and one in Karbi Anglong, pushing the death toll from floods, rain, and storms in Assa, since May 28 to a total of 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged the Central Government’s assistance to help manage the situation, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached out to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for updates.
A staggering 3,49,045 people have been affected across the districts of Karbi Anglong, Dhemaji, Hojai, Cachar, Karimganj, Dibrugarh, Nagon, Hailakandi, Golaghat, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, according to the latest reports. Cachar district has been hit the hardest, with 1,19,997 people affected.
Rescue teams have managed to evacuate 615 people from the affected areas, including 255 in Hojai, 152 in Cachar, 90 in Karimganj, and 75 in Ngaon. The floodwaters have damaged 11 roads and breached three embankments, while urban flooding has been reported in Kamrup, Cachar, and Jorhat.
Communication lines have been severely impacted in Barak Valley, with the river Barak flowing above the danger mark and inundating several areas of Silchar town, including the railway station in Tarapur. The railway station was flooded, leading to the cancellation or short-termination of several trains, including the Silchar-Guwahati Exprss and the Silchar-Rangiya Express, from both sides.
Six more trains were also canceled on Friday due to high water levels and speed restrictions between Jugijan and Jamunamukh stations in the Lumding division. Barak Valley’s three worst-hit districts – Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj – along with Dima Hasao and Hojai, continue to battle the floods.
Train services, which were previously canceled or short-terminated due to landslides along the Haflong-Badarpur rail route, have yet to be restored, officials confirmed. In the “severely-affected” Dima Hasao district, normal life has been impacted due to relentless rain, and cropping road connectivity throughout the district.
The Haflong-Silchar road has been completely cut off after a section was washed away near Harangajao, while the Haflong-Harangajao route is blocked by multiple landslides. The District Disaster Management Authority and Dima Hasao Polic3 have issued an advisory against traveling at night, except on the Umrongso-Lanka route.
In Nagon, the water of River Barpani was rising in Kampur and had damaged the Sildubi to Amdubi road and a wooden Bridge a Ramanipathar. A school was submerged in the Pamali Jarani area. River Dhansiri in Golaghat district was also flowing above the danger level with several low-lying areas getting submerged.
In Sinutour district, River Brahmaputra and its tributaries were maintaining a rising trend and flowing above the danger mark at numerous places. In Guwahati city, heavy rainfall has led to water-logging, affecting traffic movement.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Karimganj, Cachar, Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, Dhubri, and South Salmara district on Thursday. Ferry services in the state remained suspended for the third consecutive day, while all schools and educational institutions were closed in the affected district.
Chief Secretary Ravi Kota has directed the district commissioners to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected people. The ASDMA is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all the departments and response agencies to face any eventuality.
The flood situation in Assam has worsened due to the relentless rainfall following Cyclone Remal, leaving a significant portion of the population affected and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The state government, along with the central authorities, is working to provide relief and rescue efforts to the affected areas.
As the flood waters continue to rise and more areas get submerged, the authorities must prioritize the safety and well-being of the affected people. The restoration of communication lines, transportation routes, and essential services should be a top priority to ensure that the affected communities receive the necessary support and aid.
The India Meteorological Department’s warning of heavy rainfall in the coming days underscores the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the floods. The state government should work closely with the central authorities and disaster management agencies to coordinate relief efforts and ensure that the affected people receive timely assistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the flood situation in Assam has taken a turn for the worse, with six fatalities reported and over 3.5 lakh people affected across 11 districts. The relentless rainfall following Cyclone Remal has disrupted communication and transportation, leaving many stranded. The state government, along with the central authorities, is working to provide relief and rescue efforts to the affected areas. However, with the IMD warning of heavy rainfall in the coming days, the authorities must prioritize the safety and well-being of the affected people and take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the floods