Around 6.5 lakh affected
The flood situation in Assam remained very critical on Wednesday as continuous rain led to a rise in water levels in many parts of the state and inundation in new areas, officials said.
Seven rivers, including the Brahmaputra, were flowing above the danger level, even as the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Guwahati predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in the state.
Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara and Kokrajhar are likely to witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind with a speed of 30-40 kmph, it added.
A report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Tuesday night said that six more people lost their lives in Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia districts, and around 6.5 lakh people were affected by the deluge across 21 districts.
The total number of people losing their lives in this year’s floods and landslides has increased to 17.
“Heavy rain is taking place in several lower Assam districts since early morning. Many places in Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Goalpara and Baksa have been affected,” an ASDMA official said.
Altogether 6,33,114 people in 69 revenue circles and 1,506 villages in 21 districts remained affected by floods.
The worst-hit district is Sribhumi with 2,31,536 people hit by the deluge, followed by Nagaon with 99,819 flood-hit population and Cachar with 89,344.
Altogether, 223 relief camps are operational, providing shelter to 39,746 displaced people, while another 288 relief distribution centres are also functional.
Seven rivers were flowing above the danger level, including the Katakhal overtopping its highest flood level at Matizuri in Hailakandi district.
The Brahmaputra river was also flowing above the danger level at several locations.
Road, railway and ferry services have been disrupted at various places across the state.
Train services hit in parts of southern Assam
Train services in parts of southern Assam have been affected due to rising water level at tracks and waterlogging at washing pits, particularly in Silchar, a Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall and landslides have posed threat to the Badarpur-Lumding hill section which connects Barak valley to the rest of the country, though rail movement has not been snapped with on-ground staff and technology being deployed to ensure the tracks remain clear, another NFR official said.
In view of rising water level at railway tracks and waterlogging at Silchar washing pits, train services over certain sections of NFR have been affected, the spokesperson said in a statement.
“As a result, few trains have been cancelled, short terminated/originated or rescheduled,” he added.
The Badarpur-Dullabcherra, Dullabcherra – Badarpur, Silchar – Dullabcherra, and Agartala –Dharmanagar passenger trains have been cancelled for the day.
The Dullabcherra – Silchar and Dharmanagar– Agartala passenger trains will remain cancelled on Thursday, the spokesperson said.
The Bairabi–Silchar– Bairabi Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short terminated at Katakhal Junction, and remain cancelled between Katakhal Junction and Silchar.
The Agartala-Arunachal–Agartala Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short terminated at Badarpur, and remain cancelled between Badarpur and Arunachal.
The Silchar – Guwahati Express, commencing journey on Wednesday, will be short originated from Badarpur, and will remain cancelled between Silchar and Badarpur, the spokesperson added.
Another NFR official said that water from the Barak river, which flows close to Silchar railway station, has entered parts of the station, rendering difficulties in normal operations.
He said as the washing pits are inundated, the maintenance of the trains parked there has not been possible and it has led to cancellation or rescheduling of some trains.
Regarding the Badarpur-Lumding hill section, he said small landslides, incidents of boulders blocking tracks, etc. have been reported over the last few days.
“But our personnel are working round-the-clock and clearing the tracks. Some short-distance passenger trains have been cancelled but no long-distance train has been cancelled so far. We are ensuring movement with some time and speed adjustments to minimise problems for the passenger,” the official added.
Recognising the challenges posed by the North East region’s complex terrain and severe weather conditions, NFR has intensified its monitoring and maintenance activities to ensure passenger safety and infrastructure integrity since last week, an official statement said.
Stationary watchmen have been deployed at all vulnerable locations, with particular emphasis on critical sections such as Badarpur-Lumding hill section and various locations in Tripura.
Regular patrolling is being conducted and senior officials, including the additional general manager and divisional railway managers of NFR, are supervising the situation continuously.
Trolley patrolling is being carried out by officers to ensure close monitoring and regular inspections are being undertaken.
NFR has also adopted technological initiatives to address its risks associated with landslides, drainage issues and embankment stability.
These include drone-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), high-resolution aerial imaging and electromagnetic surveys over an 80-km stretch of the Badarpur-Lumding hill section.
Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) has been introduced at critical points to enhance tunnel safety and structural monitoring during peak rainfall periods, the statement added.