JONAI, Sept 9 � Nearly 75,000 people of 246 villages under the Jonai subdivision in Dhemaji district were displaced by the flash floods last month which were triggered by heavy rains in the northern Arunachal hills, according to the report of the Revenue Circle Officer here.
The surging waters of Simen, Lali and the mighty Brahmaputra rivers submerged 246 villages located in the lower part of Jonai subdivision which washed away rural roads and bridges, embankments and dykes at Bahir-Jonai, Bahir-Sille, Gali-Sikari, Ramdhan, Somkong and Misamara Gaon Panchayats under the Jonai Revenue Circle. About 12,958 hectares of standing crops have been affected. The second wave of flood washed away household property and domestic animals and also damaged 550 dwelling houses at different places.
The flash floods in the Jonai subdivision, which came in late August this year, breached embankments and river dykes at Siga, Berachapori, Rongpuriya Milonpur and created flood havoc in the areas. The authorities earlier opened four 28 relief camps which later increased to 31. The overall flood situation in the subdivision is said to have improved, but inmates are still taking shelter in three relief camps.
According to government reports, one Vishnu Braman of Mesaki Chapori lost his life by drowning in flood water but his body has not yet been recovered. The flash flood also claimed lives of 1000 cattle, 2000 poultry and 120 pigs in different villages.
The subdivisional administration distributed 2764 quintals of rice, 524 quintals of dal, 155 quintals of salt and 5880 tarpaulins besides mustard oil and candles among the flood-affected people. The actual loss and damage in the flash floods have not yet been ascertained as the compiled reports of various departments are yet to be submitted.
�The overall flood situation is improving as flood waters have been receding in the areas. We have installed 240 hand pumps for supplying drinking water in the affected areas and also deployed medical teams to deal with post-flood diseases�, informed the Circle Officer of Jonai Revenue Circle, Manuj Barua.
