Bhutan rains threaten fresh floods in Asom

Guwahati, July 30 (UNI) Two more deaths in monsoon-related incidents were reported from Kamrup (rural) district of Asom where the flood situation in the lower region worsened as heavy rains in neighbouring Bhutan fed the rivers in this part of the state.

The overall flood situation remained unchanged as hundreds of villages continued to be submerged and lakhs of people affected. Two more deaths were reported from Kamrup (rural) district today.

Earlier, reports had put the toll at 15 till last night though all deaths could not be confirmed by the authorities due to remoteness of some areas.

The Brahmaputra and its tributaries continued to flow above the danger mark across the state.

A Central Water Commission (CWC) source informed that the Brahmaputra was flowing over the red mark in Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Tezpur, Goalpara and Dhubri.

Guwahati, where the river was flowing at 49.86 mt against the danger level of 49.68 mt, faced a major flood threat as swelling waters could enter the city and submerge several areas.

Many parts of the city had also been waterlogged for the past couple of days and the Bharalu river flowing through the city was also on a rising trend.

In Kamrup (Rural) district, the situation was improving, though several places were still under water.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) RC Jain informed that the water of Puthimari river that overtopped the NH 31 had receded and normal traffic movement had resumed.

He said two more deaths had been reported from Hajo and Nagarbera after one death was reported yesterday from the district, taking the toll to three.

The Puthimari river was still flowing above the danger level at several places, with it flowing 2.43 mt above the red mark in the NH 31 crossing.

Heavy downpour in the Bhutan hills have created the threat of fresh floods in the Puthimari and Pagladiya rivers of lower Assam, threatening to submerge fresh areas.

The Pagladiya was flowing at 53.23 mt at the NT road crossing against the danger level of 52.75 mt.

It had already inundated many villages in Nalbari district, displacing thousands of people.

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