Refrain from indulging in 'Flood Tourism', DC Cachar; Enough stock of Petrol, Diesel, Essential commodities, she assures

Flood has been officially declared in Cachar district as the river Barak is flowing over the danger level in almost all ghats across the district. In Katigorah, Ghumra, Kakra, and Boleshwar rivers have wreaked havoc. As of 2:00 pm, the Cachar administration informed that 17,871 individuals are affected in the Katigorah revenue circle. In the Silchar revenue circle, 4,570 individuals have been impacted.

There is one relief camp in Katigorah and two in Silchar, informed, Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli. She added, “As we speak, we are in the process of setting up more camps in all revenue circles. I want to assure the people of the district that we have enough relief materials to serve the affected population. Anyone living in vulnerable zones, please proceed towards the relief camps. Even if the officials from District Administration aren’t there, affected population can seek shelter and we assure we will deliver relief items.”

With the rise of the water level, the people of Silchar, especially the town area start panic buying. DC Cachar appealed to the masses to avoid panic buying. “I see people queuing at petrol pumps in the rain. There is no need to do so as we have enough stock of petrol and diesel. Moreover, the roads are submerged and hence it is risky to ride or drive,” added Jalli.

DC Keerthi Jalli briefed the press about the stock of essential commodities too. “The stock of Maida, Suji and Bengal Potato will last three more days. Apart from that, all other items classified under essential commodities are available in abundance. It will easily serve us more than a month. I request the public to refrain from unnecessary hoarding. Please do not buy any items paying more than the MRP especially when there is enough stock available,” said DC Jalli.

Lastly, she has urged the people of Silchar to not indulge in flood tourism as that can turn out to be fatal. “The department is working at the Betukandi embankment to ensure there is no breach. There, the locals are gathering in large numbers which is completely unnecessary. Similarly, there are kids out in the open. We have to understand that we are in the middle of a natural calamity and we have to take the precautions in order to stay safe. There are naked lines which can so easily expose one to electrocution. Fishing is still going on in landslide prone areas around the rivers. We have already issued an advisory and my request to everyone is to understand that there is no alternative to taking necessary precaution,” asserted.

It is worth mentioning here that during the May flash-floods, people in large numbers had gathered to see the rising river water. In Sonabarighat area, one young boy, which roaming around in flood water, got washed away by the flow of the flood water. Today morning, one resident of Hailakandi died when he was fishing on the riverside.

The water level of river Barak at 3:00 pm as measured at Annapurna Ghat was at 20.19m against the danger level 19.83m. The water level is still rising.