Flood situation critical in Asom

Guwahati, Jun 18 (UNI) The flood situation in Asom, especially in the Barak valley, remained critical though water level of several rivers was receding gradually.

As more and more reports from the interiors of Barak valley were pouring in, a catastrophic picture was opening up in the worst -affected Karimganj district, where the Army had been kept stand-by to evacuate the marooned people.

The water levels of river Longai, Singha and Kushiara were still above the danger level. There were rains in the past 24 hours but that had not changed the situation.

With Met office predicting more rain by the end of this week, another round of flood is expected by the next week. According to report from Silchar, in the North Karimganj, the flood condition turned grave with areas like Indira Colony, Sri Nagar Colony, Subhash Nagar, Nilmony Road, Char Bazar and Banmali totally submerged.

The road connection between Brahmaputra and Barak valley remained snapped off and according to official source it would take another three days. Similarly the Mizoram and Tripura had remained cut off and there was great problem for the people of these two states for communication. Hundreds of trucks and passenger's vehicles got stranded at their bases.

Meanwhile, Kaziranga was under full grip of the flood. The park had been closed for visitors from June 11 as the annual flood had been entering the park. Animals were also slowly finding higher places in the neighbouring Karbi Hills crossing the National Highway.

The National Highway had been guarded by the forest guards so that speeding vehicle and the poachers did not take advantage.

In other places of the Brahmaputra valley the situation of Dhemaji and Majuli remained unchanged as both areas continued to be under water but there was no report of any casualty.

However, a report from Nagaon said flood water had been threatening the National Highway 37 also. The damaged portion near Raha had been once again under the grip of flood but till the filing of this report, it had been holding.

Near Guwahati, the change of course of Nona river had continued to damage hundreds of acres of land in the Kamalpur circle of the Rangiya sub-division.

UNI MT SJC AD BD1218