GUWAHATI: At least 3,031 people in 22 villages of the three revenue circles in Lakhimpur district have been affected by the first flood of the season following incessant rainfall and the release of dam water from the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP), a bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) stated on Sunday evening.
Additionally, flood alerts have been issued in Dhemaji and Biswanath districts.
“The continuous rain with the onset of monsoon has aided the floods but another reason adding to the people’s woes is the release of excess water from the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) dam on the upstream of the river at Yazali inside Arunachal Pradesh,” a senior government official told TOI.
On Saturday, the rising waters of Ranganadi washed away a bridge at Gobarisali.
Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah has expressed concern over the release of water from the dam and requested Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to raise the issue with the Union power ministry.
As per the ASDMA report, 405 animals and crops on 426.2 hectares across 26 villages have been affected due to the floods.
Additionally, erosion has been observed in Baksa, Goalpara, Kamrup, Sonitpur, and Majuli districts.
“I have noticed that there are often delays in commencing embankment repair works by the department on time, owing to which we fail to complete them before the rainy season.
From now on, I have issued strict instructions to the officers of the department to work more efficiently and complete all official procedures and formalities on time so that repair works start on time,” said Hazarika, Minister of Water Resources.
Meanwhile, the Dibrugarh district administration is gearing up to tackle the onslaught of the first wave of flood in the district.
Last year, the floods had led to widespread devastation, inundating around 115 villages and affecting over 70,000 people.
Apart from death and disease, several schools, roads, offices and other structures were also damaged.
On Saturday, Dibrugarh legislator Prasanta Phukan had visited the erosion-hit Nagakholia village under Rajabheta gaon panchayat and inspected the anti-erosion measures carried out by erecting RCC porcupines along the river bank.