GUWAHATI, June 29 � Heavy rainfall during the last three days created unprecedented artificial floods in city areas like Rajgarh, Tarun Nagar, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, RG Baruah Road and Lachit Nagar, throwing the routine life of the people completely out of gear.
On Friday, three teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), consisting of 125 rescuers, 17 rubber boats and four rafts, launched massive search and rescue operations. The NDRF teams retrieved the body of an 18-year-old boy from river Bharalu in Tarun Nagar area, and transported 40 seriously ill civilians to hospitals after evacuating them from flooded areas.
All the 21 boats with the Medical First Responder and deep divers were pressed into action and essential services to rescue trapped civilians.
NDRF relief teams also distributed 8,000 water bottles, 1,000 packets of bread and jam, 1,000 packets of cake, 800 plates of pulao, 250 packs of pulao, 250 packs of candle, and other food items in the affected areas. To personally monitor and serve the ailing victims, special helpline numbers were also widely publicized through the electronic and print media.
�The inundation of low-lying areas of Guwahati has been a frequent phenomenon since the last three to four decades. Over the years, the natural reservoirs in low-lying areas have either lost their holding capacity or gone extinct. Fast developing concrete forests in low-lying areas have replaced dense forests which have developed into grave ecological imbalances,� Alok Kumar Singh, Commandant 1st NDRF, told the media.
�The issue of siltation and deposition of garbage in river Bharalu, connecting drains and catchment areas will have to be addressed on a priority basis. The alternate drain for water rivulets spurting in low-lying area of Anil Nagar need to be diverted from Narengi to Noonmati and further to river Brahamputra to get rid of the menace of artificial flood during every monsoon season,� he added.
On the unexpected and sudden development of the flood situation, AK Singh, Commandant, said, �The NDRF always stands by the affected people at the time of their need. People need to keep an alternative system of keeping emergency medicines, dry food and water for at least one week till the problem is tackled.�
At present, a team of NDRF with deep divers, six boats and all other life-saving aid continues to be deployed in the affected areas to assist civilians for any unwarranted situation.
