River Barak crosses 19.83m danger level once again; "Bethukandi dyke safe till 21.34m" dept

River Barak, at 9:00 pm on July 3, has crossed the danger level yet again at Annapurna Ghat in Silchar. It has been officially informed that the water level recorded at Annapurna Ghat on July 3, at 9:00 pm stood at 19.84 metres. It is worth mentioning here that the danger level at Annapurna Ghat is 19.83m.

What emerges as unique situation in 2022, this is the third time the water level at Annapurna Ghat has crossed the danger level. First time it was recorded over the danger level was on May 14. Then it crossed the danger level once again on June 18 and stayed above danger level for more than 10 days. Only a couple of days later, it has again swelled up crossing the danger level.

People of Silchar are worried as the city has just witnessed unprecedented deluge, in fact, some parts are still inundated. Last time, the river water flooded into the town through the Bethukandi embankment that was damaged by the locals.

“The damage portion has been temporarily renovated following the best practices,” informed the Water Resources Department. “According to our assessment, the dyke is safe and we don’t see water breaching it for another meter and a half,” added the executive.

It is not that each time the water level at Annapurna Ghat crosses the danger level of 19.83m it causes a flood. It became devastating as a portion of the land holding the river water was cut away making a drain. The local did it for the water to recede from the Mahishabeel residential area. However, once the waterlevel rose, river water flooded in following the same route.

“Look, work has been done since then and that portion has been filled using bags and following the best practices. Now, it is safe and can hold water up to 21.20m. Beyond that, there can be overtopping which, in current scenario, looks unlikely,” reiterated the executive.