BARPETA, July 9 - Although the flood situation in Barpeta district had begun to improve a few days back, due to heavy downpour since last night the scene again is rapidly deteriorating. The water level of Brahmaputra and its tributaries Kaldia, Pahumara, Beki and Bhelengi, which had receded for the last five days, have crossed their danger marks this afternoon signalling another devastation within the days to come.
Apart from loss of seven lives so far, 9,73,872 people living in 692 villages have been affected by floods in the district. In one of the worst devastation, 16,758 hectares of agricultural land have been affected during the current wave of flood. For the assistance of flood-affected people, 48 relief camps and 31 relief distribution centres have been opened across the district. Through these centres, 24741 quintal of rice, 4585 quintal of dal, 1217 quintal of salt, 21360 quintal of fodder and 61752 pieces of polythene pieces have been distributed.
The administration has not compromised with the relief and rescue operation of the suffering people in spite of its engagement with the fight against COVID-19. The Deputy Commissioner Munindra Sarma has personally supervised the relief and rescue operations. Strict instructions have been issued to the Circle Officers so that no affected people is deprived of government assistance. Keeping in mind the prevention of COVID-19 this year, masks, sanitizers and soaps have also been provided along with the relief materials.
As per information provided by the District Information and Public Relation Officer Bikash Sarma 8516 pieces of masks, 668 pieces of soaps and 656 sanitizer have been distributed in the relief camps. In addition to these cereals for children, candles and lighters have also been given to camp inmates.
To felicitate safe drinking water, 561 tubewells have been installed in the flood-affected areas across the district and more than 40,000 packets of pure drinking water have been distributed by the PHE department. Big animals numbering 2,92,919 and small animals 1,44,662 have been affected by the floods. The Veterinary department has made adequate arrangements for treatment of the pets by organising treatment and awareness camps. Four cows have been washed away by the floods so far. But the biggest loss so far during the flood is the loss of seven valuable human lives across the district.