Assam floods: over 2,000 people affected, 11 dead in Guwahati

Guwahati: Several villages in Assam's Lakhimpur district have been hit by floods after heavy rains lashed the region over the past three to four days. More than 2,000 people have been affected.

The Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger level in several parts of Dibrugarh.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi convened a high level meeting on Sunday night to discuss the post flood scenario in Guwahati and measures, both long and short terms, to meet any exigency. The capital city witnessed major waterlogging following heavy rains that left 11 persons dead since June 27.

Gogoi asked the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration and departments concerned to free all water channels from obstructions impeding the flow of water from the city, a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Evictions would be carried out on encroachments simultaneously along Bharalu, Mora Bharulu, Bahini and other water channels from Monday.

Warnings have been issued to those living in 377 landslide prone areas here to move out on their own within 48 hours with the district administration providing temporary arrangements for their stay, the release said. Directing the Water Resources Department and Guwahati Municipal Corporation to keep a close watch on the situation and to keep the water pumps functional round the clock, Gogoi asked the agencies to procure and hire water pumps mounted on trolley to discharge the excess water.

Additional manpower could be hired on contractual basis to man the water pumps round the clock, he said. The chief minister also asked the GMC and the PWD (Roads) to clear the silt and garbage by Monday evening and the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (M) would supervise the cleaning process and assist the agencies with manpower.

All commercial establishments would be asked to ensure proper disposal of garbage otherwise penal provisions like cancellation of trade licence would be done, the release said. Commissioner and Secretary, Political, Prateek Hajela would brief the media daily on the measures taken by the agencies and departments to mitigate the situation.

(With additional information from PTI)