Gogoi conducts air survey, flood situation grim

Guwahati, Jul 28 (UNI) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today conducted air survey over the northeastern part of the state where the flood has taken a catastrophic turn since the past four days, destroying most crucial embankments.

Official sources here said the Chief Minister flew to the worst-affected Dhakuakhana and Matmorta areas, which had come under the grip of floods for the third time this monsoon.

Meanwhile, the Opposition parties as well as the All Assam Students Union (AASU) alleged that faulty construction of embankements and swindling of public money was the reason behind the destruction caused by the floods.

The flood situation in the state continued to be grim even though there have been signs of improvement following lesser rainfall in the catchment areas.

However, the Met office forecast rain or thunder showers during the next 24 hours in isolated places of Assam and neighbouring states.

Although most of the rivers have been showing falling trend, the Brahmaputra and Subansiri are still flowing above the danger level.

Official sources at Majuli said altogether 56,000 people of 70 villages have been affected so far following the breaches at Barbeel and Major Deuri embankments.

The relief materials distributed in six Panchayats in Majuli sub-division include 568.57 quintals of rice, 65.61 quintals of pulses and 65 tarpaulin sheets.

A report from North Lakhimpur said the flood situation improved considerably, except in Dhokuakhona sub-division, where the situation continued to be grim despite the rainfall ceasing since last night.

One Madaram Doley (36) of Jamuguri village under Dhokuakhona circle was swept away by the flood current and is feared dead.

The state Water Resources department said the situation is under control as the breaches in four places, caused by river Burhi Dihing, and another two places along the course of Dikhow river, had been repaired.

However, on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, the flood situation was serious since July 23 when the embankment at Matmara in Dhokuakhona sub-division developed a breach.

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