Brahmaputra flowing above danger level

Guwahati, June 16 (UNI) The Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level at Dibrugarh in upper Asom and the Jia Bharali river at Sonitpur district in central Asom following incessant rainfall since the last couple of days.

As many as 80 villages in Lakhimpur district and 45 in Karimganj district have been affected, as all the rivers in the two districts are reportedly on the rise.

Official sources said boats have been deployed and gratuitous relief distributed to the affected people.

Around 826.75 hectares of cropland have been affected in the first wave of the floods.

Rising water of the Buridihing and Pavoi rivers in central Asom has washed away some embankments, affecting several villages in Biswanath Chariali revenue circle of Sonitpur district.

There is no relief in sight as forecasts of the Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) here said heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely to occur over the entire northeastern region in the next three to four days.

While the south west monsoon was 'vigorous' at various places in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, Asom and Arunachal Pradesh also recorded more than normal rainfall in the last 24 hours.

''The southwest monsoon is coming in spells, which last for four to five days. There is likely to be a brief break after each spell,'' an RMC source said.

UNI