Vast areas inundated in Assam, Army to the aid of Bihar

GUWAHATI, AUG. 4. Over 1.5 lakh people in 12 districts of Assam have been affected by the current floods which have submerged vast areas of human habitation and agricultural land across the State.

Revenue Department reports here today said the Brahmaputra river was flowing above the danger level in Morigaon district and rising alarmingly in Goalpara district. Overtopping Buragaon- Nagaon PWD Road at two places, the floods affected 27 villages with a population of about 9,800 and crop area of 1,912 hectares in Morigaon district.

Rail communication and road link via NH-52 was still cut off in Dhemaji district where nearly 50,000 people in 117 villages have been affected.

In Kamrup, Darrang and Nalbari districts the water level was receding though erosion was continuing at Larkuchi in Nalbari district.

Meanwhile, relief was distributed to the 12 flood- affected districts of Dhemaji, Jorhat, Kamrup, Barpeta, Darrang, Nalbari, Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Goalpara, Nagaon and Bongaigaon.

Gopalganj worst hit

A report from Patna said that the Army had taken up relief and rescue operations in Gopalganj district, worst hit by the floods, even as the overall flood situation in Bihar remained grim with major rivers like Gandak, Ganga, Kosi, Kamala Balan and Bagmati in spate.

Armymen from Danapur cantonment stepped up relief and rescue measures in Gopalganj, the home district of the Chief Minister, Ms. Rabri Devi, the State Home Secretary, Mr. U.N. Panjiar, said.

He said the State Government, if required, would seek the Army's assistance for other flood-hit districts.

Meanwhile, the State Water Resources Commissioner, Mr. Radha Singh had alerted the District Magistrates of East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Saran, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur, keeping in view the critical condition of Saran and Champaran embankments of turbulent Gandak.

The Chief Minister, who undertook an aerial survey of Gopalganj and West Champaran districts yesterday warned officials against any lapse in carrying out relief and rescue operations.

- PTI

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