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Flood Crisis in Assam

Guwahati/Rangia, June 1: Assam has been experiencing relentless rainfall, leading to significant disruptions in road and rail transport across the state. Tragically, the floods and landslides have claimed the lives of eight individuals, with over 78,000 residents impacted across more than 15 districts.

In response to the escalating flood conditions, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has released an 'orange bulletin', indicating a 'severe flood situation' as ten major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Barak, have surpassed danger levels.

According to the CWC, the Brahmaputra is currently flowing above the danger threshold at Dibrugarh and Nematighat (Jorhat).

Other rivers that have exceeded safety levels include the Dhaleswari at Gharmura (Hailakandi), Rukni at Dholai (Cachar), Katakhal at Matijuri (Hailakandi), Barak at Badarpur Ghat (Sribhumi), Buridehing at Margherita (Tinsukia), Kushiyara in Sribhumi, Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat), and Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon).

An update from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that by Saturday evening, five fatalities were attributed to landslides and three to flooding.

On Saturday, three districts in western Assam were placed on 'red alert', while eight others were under 'orange alert', as per data from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC). The situation has been exacerbated by rainwater flowing from upstream regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

Various agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, police, and fire services, have been mobilized for relief and rescue efforts, evacuating residents from the most affected areas.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked on Friday that the state is grappling with an 'abnormal situation' due to continuous rainfall caused by extensive cloud cover over parts of the northeast.

A spokesperson for the Northeast Frontier Railway indicated that due to heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours and water covering the tracks on the Baraigram-Dullabcherra section, the Dullabcherra-Silchar passenger train has been canceled for the day.

Additionally, the Dullabcherra-Guwahati Express will now depart from Baraigram instead of Dullabcherra.

Significant sections of National Highway-17 have been inundated near Shingra Shalnibari in the Chaygaon area of Kamrup district since Saturday, officials reported.

The combination of heavy rainfall and runoff from neighboring Meghalaya has intensified the crisis in the region.

Efforts are underway to manage traffic flow using alternative routes, according to officials.