PATACHARKUCHI, July 24 - The people of Bajali in Barpeta district continued to battle flood fury as incessant rains coupled with release of excess water from Kuri Chhu river dam of Bhutan inundated several new areas forcing the district administration to sound a red alert. What is more alarming is that the Pathsala Subdivisional Civil Hospital has been submerged by flood water compelling the authorities to evacuate the patients to Dharamshala. All the wards of Pathsala town have been affected in the fresh flood causing severe hardships for the common man. Yesterday, embankments were breached at Maharani, Kenduguri and Kologuri by the surging water of Pahumara river creating havoc in the area. The APDCL office, PWD office, Irrigation Office, Bajali HS School, Pathsala MV School, Pathsala College, Tapoban (child care home) and a number of business establishments have been affected in the current wave of flood. The classes of several educational institutions have been cancelled due to the flood.
The SDRF and Army have been pressed into service for carrying out rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of Bajali subdivision.
A high-level meeting, which was held at the Deputy Commissioner�s office, Barpeta today decided to shift the affected people living on the banks of Pahumara and other rivers fearing more release of water by Bhutan tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, several villages situated alongside the 127 Pathsala- Bhutan connecting National Highway are also affected in the flood. Similarly, fisheries have been totally affected. Meanwhile, the overall flood situation in the district has deteriorated further due to heavy downpour.
It is learnt that the overflowing water of Kaldia river has breached a large stretch of an embankment at Akaya and Uluwa posing a threat to the locality. The famous Bhogeswar temple is under serious threat. On the other hand, the handloom centre situated at Nityananda has been submerged by flood water. According official sources, in Bajali Revenue Circle, around 1,145 hectares of standing crops, 29 villages and 1950 people have been affected by fresh flood.
