Water level of major rivers rising; Hailakandi administration gears up to tackle flood

With the water level of the major rivers rising drastically following incessant rains in the past few days, Hailakandi district administration is gearing up to tackle flood situation amid the coronavirus outbreak in the district.

The administration has directed the water resources and other line departments to remain on alert for dealing with the situation.

The water level of Dholeswari river is rising considerably and is flowing at 24.98 metre as against the danger level mark of 28.05 metre.

The water level of Katakhal and Barak rivers recorded by the Water Resources Department at Matijuri and Gharmura sites as on Saturday morning were at 18.20 metre and 15.97 metre, below the danger level of 20.27 metre and 19.83 metre, respectively.

Hailakandi town and its adjoining areas have experienced good showers. Water has submerged some low lying areas. The temperature has also plummeted in the district.

With gutsy wind accompanying showers, power has been disrupted following snapping of high powered transmission lines and uprooting of poles. Meanwhile, the farmers are engaged in ploughing the land and sowing seeds.

Deputy Commissioner Megha Nidhi Dahal has been closely monitoring the situation in the district following incessant rains in the past couple of days.

The Water Resources Department has completed the major works relating to plugging of breaches and strengthening of embankments at vulnerable points. Executive Engineer, Water Resources Department, Razzakul Hoque informed that four breaches have been closed at Mohonpur. Breach closing work at Sonacherra-Rupacherra, embankment work at Purbosonapur and flood protection work stretching 135 metre at Bhajantipur and 10 metre at Gudamghat have been completed, he stated.

Hoque also informed that work on breaching a 207 metre at Tosla will begin in the next two-three days. “All the works at the vulnerable points have been addressed to,” added Hoque.

It may be mentioned that Minister for Water Resources, Keshab Mahanta during his visit here on April 19 had reviewed flood preparedness with the administration and had directed the Water Resources Department to identify the breaches caused by the earlier flood and to plug the same on a war footing before the onset of monsoon.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the flood situation at a high-level meeting at Dispur on Wednesday.

Sonowal asked the Deputy Commissioners to gird up their loins to provide succour to the flood-hit people and to ensure all COVID-19 protocols at the relief camps to prevent infection. The Chief Minister asked the Deputy Commissioners to provide soap, water and face masks to the inmates and to carry out proper disinfectant of the relief camps.

A total of 11 districts of the state are reeling under floodwaters in the first wave affecting 3.81 lakh people with five persons meeting watery grave.