GUWAHATI/ IMPHAL/GANGTOK/ITANAGAR, Jul 20 (PTI): Several NE states have been affected by floods and landslides after continuous rainfall over the last few days. Here is a roundup of the latest incidents from the North East region of India.
Assam flood worsens; over 1.7 lakh affected
The flood situation in Assam deteriorated severely on Monday, with more than 1.7 lakh people affected across 12 districts as incessant rain triggered a fresh rise in the water levels of various rivers, officials said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the number of people affected jumped from over 57,100 in seven districts on Sunday to more than 1.7 lakh across 30 revenue circles in 12 districts.
The death toll in this year’s floods remained at five.
A total of 580 villages are currently inundated, while 10,362.9 hectares of crop area have been damaged, the bulletin said.
Floodwaters have damaged embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in several districts.
The Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger mark at Neamatighat, while its tributaries — the Buridihing at Khowang, Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat and Dhansiri at Numaligarh — were also flowing above the danger level.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has been deployed in several districts of Upper Assam to rescue stranded people, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said four ministers have been stationed in the affected areas to monitor rescue and relief operations.
Landslides hit Guwahati; residents asked to stay alert
Several landslides were reported in Guwahati on Monday, with the authorities issuing an alert for more rainfall in the city over the next 24 hours, aggravating the situation.
Kamrup Metropolitan District Commissioner Swapneel Paul said landslides were reported from at least five locations, though no casualties have been reported so far.
The affected areas include Kamakhya main road beyond Prashanti Lodge, Kamakhya Colony near Ganesh Mandir, Paschim Kamakhya village near the water tanker, Pandu Temple Ghat and Madhavdevnagar in Maligaon, he said.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly areas of the district, particularly around Maligaon and Pandu, he said.
Paul also said traffic movement on the road leading to the Kamakhya temple may be regulated because of recurring landslides, which could delay devotees visiting the shrine.
Meanwhile, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), citing the India Meteorological Department’s forecast, warned of moderate to heavy rainfall (6-12 cm in 24 hours), accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, across Guwahati.
The expected rainfall could aggravate waterlogging, urban flooding, flash floods, traffic congestion and increase the risk of landslides in vulnerable areas, the ASDMA said.
The district administration and the ASDMA said they were closely monitoring the situation and had kept emergency response systems on alert.
Residents, especially those living in low-lying and hillside areas, have been asked to remain vigilant and watch for signs of flooding or landslides.
The ASDMA also requested government and private establishments to allow employees to work from home, wherever feasible, in view of the weather forecast.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall and follow official weather updates and advisories issued by the authorities, it added.
Landslides on NH-37 in Manipur
Vehicular movement along Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37 was brought to a halt once again on Monday as continuous rainfall in the last few days triggered landslides at various places across Noney and Tamenglong districts of Manipur.
Manipur is experiencing heavy to medium continuous rainfall in the last few days.
Reports said that the continuous rainfall not only affected normal life severely in Noney district but also triggered landslides and mudslides at multiple places across the region.
Major landslides along the stretch of the NH-37 at Awangkhul, Nung Dolan and Shanti Khunou have completely blocked vehicular movement on the crucial route.
Notably, normal vehicular movement along this crucial supply route of the state remained disturbed owing to landslides at two separate locations – between Shanti Khunou (Duikaklong) and Kaiphundai and Longkao II and Longkao III, on July 16 last.
The latest landslides that disturbed the movement of the vehicles came only a few days after normal traffic resumed after clearing the landslides.
Owing to the landslides, hundreds of Imphal-bound loaded trucks were stranded at various places beyond the affected sites on the Jiribam side.
On the other hand, some of the major rivers are flowing above the danger mark, with some small rivers overflowing at some places in Imphal West district.
Though the hill regions of the state have been experiencing rainfall continuously for the last few weeks, the valley region has been experiencing the same since July 17. Reports said that the Nambul River that flows through the heart of the Imphal city overflowed at various places, triggering flash floods at many low lying areas.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Manipur is experiencing widespread, heavy rainfall in the last few days.
Rivers are rising, and local authorities are urging residents to avoid low-lying areas and unnecessary travel. (Correspondent)
12 workers trapped in tunnel in Sikkim
At least 12 workers were trapped inside an under-construction road tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district after a landslide blocked its entrance on Monday afternoon, police said.
The landslide also triggered a suspected gas leak inside the Samardung tunnel, they said.
The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide, they added.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF, police and the Fire and Emergency Services are carrying out the rescue operation, a police officer said.
“Rescue operations are underway, but the operation has been complicated by the presence of gas inside the tunnel. Several rescue personnel experienced dizziness and lost consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers,” he said.
“Ambulances have been kept on standby, while rescuers equipped with gas masks are trying to reach the trapped workers inside the tunnel,” he added.
The tunnel is being constructed as part of a highway project, officials said.
One missing in East Siang districts
Triggered by heavy rains, fresh floods and landslides hit four districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday while a search was on for a person who got swept away by a torrent of floodwater in East Siang a day ago.
The ongoing spell of floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives, injured 29 and affected 1,49,378 people in 25 districts of the northeastern state. According to a report by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) issued on Monday evening, East Siang, Kamle, Kra Daadi and Changlang districts witnessed fresh rain-triggered floods and landslides.
It said one person, Monggo Tayeng (27), remained missing after being swept away by floodwaters in East Siang district on Sunday. Search and rescue operations by the SDRF are underway.
Kamle witnessed widespread devastation due to heavy rainfall, while fresh landslides and floods were reported in Kra Daadi, East Siang and Changlang districts.
According to the bulletin, 51 people — 41 in Changlang and 10 in Kamle — were affected by the calamity since Sunday.
East Siang was the worst-hit district with around 35,500 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731) and Upper Subansiri (13,017).