Assam: 30,000 people of four districts affected in fresh flood, death toll rises to 11

Guwahati, June 23: Nearly 30,000 people of four districts of Assam have been affected in the second wave of the flood as the water level of Brahmaputra river and its tributaries are rising following incessant rain in the past couple of days in many parts of the state.

One person drowned in floodwaters at Nazira area in Sivasagar district and the total death toll in the state has risen to 11 so far.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the water level of Brahmaputra river is flowing above danger level mark at Neamatighat in Jorhat district, while Dikhow river flowing above the danger level at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district, Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district and Jia Bharali river at NT Road crossing in Sonitpur district.

Nearly 30,000 people of Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Dibrugarh district have been affected in the current flood and the floodwaters submerged over 3600-hectare cropland in the flood-hit districts.

Over 12,000 people of 33 villages have been affected in Sivasagar district and many people have taken shelter in relief camps and higher lands.

On the other hand, over 11,500 big and small domestic animals have affected in the second wave of flood.

The NDRF, SDRF teams had rescued over 300 people from the flood-affected areas in Sivasagar and Dhemaji district in last 24 hours.

No water to cultivate paddy: Assam farmers stage protest, blockade road

Guwahati, June 22: At a time when many people are facing hardships due to flood situation in several districts of Assam, thousands of farmers protest in Baksa district along Indo-Bhutan border are now struggling to collect water for cultivation in their paddy fields.

Thousands of farmers of around 25 villages under Tamulpur sub-division along Indo-Bhutan border are doing paddy rice cultivation by using water from Bhutan side.

The farmers have diverted the water through the Jamfwi aka dongs (irrigation channels) to their paddy fields and this process is being continued in the past several decades.

But due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, the Bhutan government has closed all entries of outsiders to the country and the Indian farmers have also been not allowed to make irrigation channels originated in Bhutan side.

Without water from the irrigation channels, the farmers downstream cannot irrigate their crops.

The farmers of Baksa district are now facing many problems for cultivating paddy rice this year following the Bhutanese government decision.

By demanding to resolve the problem, hundreds of farmers of 25 villages in Tamulpur sub-division, on Monday staged protests and blockaded Rongia-Bhutan connecting road for several hours.

The farmers demanded the Assam government to take the issue seriously and resolve it soon.

A protester farmer said that, without water, they will face more problems.

“We had brought water to our paddy fields by making dong bandh in Bhutan side. Due to lockdown, the Bhutanese government has barred us to enter there. We are now facing a water crisis for cultivating paddy rice. The government should have to resolve the problem soon. We will intensify our protests if our demand is not fulfilled,” the farmer said.

Assam BJP MLA tested positive for COVID-19, Sonowal directs to take stern action against violators of COVID-19 protocol

Guwahati, June 22: An Assam BJP MLA has been tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

Krishnendu Paul – BJP MLA of Patharkandi assembly constituency of Karimganj district was tested positive for the new virus and he was admitted at Karimganj civil hospital.

According to the Karimganj district administration, the MLA’s swab was collected on June 18 and his test result came out on Monday.

Confirming the report, Karimganj district Deputy Commissioner Anbamuthan MP said that, the MLA was tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have collected his swab on June 18 and the result tested positive. We will collect swab of his all staff and family members. We are also trying to find out his contact details,” the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj district said.

Assam has so far reported 5586 COVID-19 positive cases.

On the other hand, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday directed the state Chief Secretary to take necessary steps for enforcing strong action against violators of COVID-19 protocol including those who do not wear masks and maintain social distancing norms.

The Assam Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to issue a direction in this regard to the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in a meeting held at his office conference room in Guwahati to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state today.

Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma while apprising the Chief Minister about the steps taken by the health department to control COVID-19 outbreak in the state informed that presently voluntary swab collection is being carried out in 12 testing centres in the city.

Himanta Biswa Sarma further said that one swab collection centre in each of the Municipal wards of the city would be set up by the health department soon.

While discussing the spike of COVID-19 positive cases in the meeting, Assam Chief Minister directed the Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner to take all needful measures to contain the spread.

Assam in the grip of the second wave of flood, water levels of Brahmaputra river and its tributaries rising

Guwahati, June 22: Assam is in the grip of the second wave of flood, triggered by incessant rains in the state and neighbouring states, which has affected around 25,000 people of five districts of the state.

Over 12,000 people have been affected alone in Dhemaji district.

The floodwaters of Gai river had breached a portion of an embankment at Sissiborgaon area in Dhemaji district and submerged 10 villages in the area.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 41 villages in Dhemaji district have been affected in the fresh flood.

On the other hand, the water levels of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries are gradually increasing following incessant rainfalls in the state.

The Brahmaputra river is flowing above danger level mark at Jorahat while Dikhow river flowing above danger level mark at Sivasagar, Disang river at Nanglamuraghat in Sivasagar district, Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, Jia Bharali river at NT Road crossing in Sonitpur district.

In Guwahati, the water level of the Brahmaputra river is rising by 1 cm per hour.

Central Water Commission (CWC) employee Jitumoni Das said that the water level of the Brahmaputra river is gradually increasing.

“Since last night, the water level is rising by 1 cm per hour. If rainfall is continued then the water level will be increased more,” Jitumoni Das said.

On the other hand, given the increase of water level of Brahmaputra river, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has suspended plying all kinds of boats, ferry services in Guwahati till June 24.

Over 3.81 lakh were affected and 10 people died in the state in the first wave of flood this year.