Flood fury in Assam continues

Guwahati, Sep 4: The flood situation in as many as 16 districts of Assam remained critical today with the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries creating havoc in the state

According to a Central Water Commission (CWC) report, the river Brahmaputra is flowing 13 centimetres above the danger mark at Guwahati.

The Guwahati Municipal authorities have closed all the sluice gates due to alarming rise of water level.

Earlier, State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi accompanied by senior officials made an aerial survey of Majuli, Asia''s largest river island, which submerged under the flood waters.

Gogoi directed the Jorhat district authorities to ensure adequate relief to the people with food scarcity looming large in the island as supply of essentials was hit by the rising water level.

The waist-deep flood waters engulfed 167 villages with a population of 1.5 lakh and was threatening fresh areas in the island, which houses several ''satras'' (Vaishnavite monasteries).

The authorities were forced to shift 34 prisoners from Goramur sub-divisional jail to Jorhat central jail following the inundation in Majuli, the sources said.

The situation in lower Assam''s Rangiya sub-division too is critical following breaches in four embankments by Puthimari river.

The army continued to assist the government in providing relief to the affected people across the state.

The situation in the Kaziranga National Park, famed for its one-horned rhinos, is also critical with more than 50 percent of the park area under flood waters.

ANI