Rivers in spate in Assam; CM visits Dhemaji, Lakhimpur

Guwahati, July 21 (UNI) The rise in water levels of Brahmaputra, Barak and its tributaries in five places has threatened flood in Assam, even as Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts reeled under water for the past several days.

Dhemaji district, which had been subjected to flash floods on July 12 last, was still to get its road connection back with the rest of the country.

Deputy Commissioner Diwakar Mishra informed that the Bailey bridge, constructed by the Army, linking Dhemaji with Gogamukh, would be operational from tomorrow.

He said, " It was supposed to be working from today, but some problems led to the delay by one day.

He said 30,000 people were still being provided with relief in the district. The relief camps have been closed and the people were staying at temporary shelters.

Mr Mishra said the change in the course of a river in the district, which had also washed away 1.5 km of NH 52, had inundated houses and agricultural land of many families.

Altogether 1,000 families have completely lost their houses, he added.

He said the administration had proposed to relocate the people at other areas but many wanted to wait for the dry season when they could possibly reconstruct their houses at the original locations.

" We are not forcing them and will provide help as necessary," the DC said.

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