Fresh floods in Assam, 2 drowned

Guwahati, Aug 18 (UNI) Two children were drowned due to flash floods at Baghorbeel in Barpeta yesterday, district Deputy Commissioner said today.

Barpeta D C Rajiv Loshan Duara told UNI over phone that heavy rainfall in the Bhutan hills had triggered severe flash floods in lower Assam, prompting the authorities to clamp section 144 on the National Highway Number 31.

Heavy flow of water from the Bhutan hills to parts of lower Assam had caused a breach in the Narayanguri embankment at Baska, the DC said.

''The waters have overtopped NH 31 at various places, while it was more than four feet below waters between Bhawanipur and Howli,'' he added.

Mr Duara said movement of heavy vehicles was stopped and restrictions were enforced on the movement of light vehicles.

The excess flow of water from Bhutan had led to rise in the water levels of Brahmaputra, Manah, Beki and Puthimari rivers at various places in lower Assam.

Over 100 villages in Barpeta and Baska districts were affected by the flash floods.

In the Bhembari area in Barpeta, over 40,000 people had been severely hit even as many were being shifted to relief camps.

Meanwhile, a breach in the embankment of Puthimari river had also led to floods in Puthimari, Hahara, Bhaira, Kachorua, Bamungaon, Borigug and Malipam areas of Rangiya sub-division.

Relief and rescue operations were on in the affected areas.

UNI