Fresh floods, erosion in three districts of Assam; over 33,000 affected

A water resources department official in Dibrugarh informed that the Brahmaputra was flowing at 105.17 metre as of 5 pm on Tuesday, close to the danger mark of 105.70 metre.

Heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh over the past few days triggered fresh floods and erosion in three districts of Assam, state disaster management officials said on Tuesday.

A flood affected girl rows a boat near her submerged house at Burhaburhi village, about 65 km east of Guwahati in Assam. (AP File Photo)

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 46 villages in eight revenue circles of Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur districts are grappling with flood-related situations, and 33,836 persons have been affected so far.

“More than floods, some areas of Dibrugarh, such as Maijan and Nagaghuli, are facing erosion on the banks of the Brahmaputra. There has been no major damage to property or loss of life and injury to humans yet,” said Biswajit Pegu, deputy commissioner, Dibrugarh.

A water resources department official in Dibrugarh informed that the Brahmaputra was flowing at 105.17 metre as of 5 pm on Tuesday, close to the danger level of 105.70 metre.

“There’s very heavy current in the Brahmaputra at present, which is unlike anything seen around this time of the year,” said Hridoyananda Gogoi, assistant executive engineer in the water resources department.

“While the Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) and the Mohanbari airport are a bit far from where the erosion is taking place, there is threat to the area if the situation doesn’t improve,” he added.

According to ASDMA, 1,300 hectares of crop area have been affected due to the floods and six relief distribution centres have been set up in Dhemaji district.