GOALPARA, July 24 - With the mighty Brahmaputra flowing at the danger level of 36.24 metres and still showing a rising trend the flood situation in the district looks grim and gloomy. Besides, the bad weather conditions and incessant rains pounding the district for the last eight days, have compounded the woes of the people affecting their daily lives and activities.
According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), flood waters have entered several low-lying areas, partially affecting around 43 villages, besides a total population of 19,042 under Lakhipur revenue circle.The flood waters have also affected crop area of 2615.09 hectares, out of the total of 3635.81 hectares affected. However, there were no reports on properties being flooded nor livestock loss at present nor any flood relief camps opened by the district authority till the filing of this report.
Talking to this correspondent, Project Officer, DDMA, Kuldip Kalita said that as reported by the Water Resources Division, Goalpara today, no significant rainfall was recorded during the last 24 hours and the major rivers Krishnai, Dudhnoi, Jinjiram and Jinari are flowing approximately two metres below the danger level mark in the district. He also said that the district authorities and the DDMA are keeping a close watch on the entire situation and an elaborate plan is in place to deal with any emergency situation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner JVN Subramanyam, who is also the chairman of the DDMA, said that he is keeping a round-the-clock watch on the entire district and an elaborate flood contingency and response plan, which has already been prepared earlier for the current year sector wise, has been activated. Accordingly, all sectoral teams are on a high alert to deal with any eventualities regard to safety, rescue and relief operations as the case may be.
But the local people are also demanding spraying of bleaching powder to check and prevent water-borne diseases in all the open drains and ditches under the Goalpara Municipality Board.
