HAILAKANDI, Oct 6 - The water levels are rising abruptly in all the three major rivers of Hailakandi district following incessant rainfall in the Barak Valley and neighbouring Mizoram.
All the three rivers in Hailakandi district have recorded a sudden rise in water level in the past 72 hours. The Dhaleswari river has crossed the danger level of 28.05 metres while the Katakhal and Barak rivers are flowing a few notches below the danger mark.
Meanwhile, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) appealed to people not to venture out near rivers in spate and parents to keep a close watch on their children in view of several drowning incidents in the recent past.
The North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Meghalaya through its flood early warning system (FLEWS) has sounded an alert valid for 36 hours starting at around 5.30 pm on Monday of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Hailakandi district and adjoining areas that may lead to flooding of Lala, Hailakandi and Algapur revenue circles following a rise in water levels of the Barak, Katakhal and Dhaleswari rivers.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has asked the DDMA, Hailakandi to take necessary preparedness measures.
DDMA District Project Officer Rupjoy Maibangsa said water levels of all the three rivers are rising rapidly especially the Dhaleswari at 10 cm per hour above the danger level. "Following the alert, all concerned have been informed to be on vigil to tackle any flood-related situation," added Maibangsa.
Hailakandi's adjoining Kolasib district of Mizoram received 149.60 mm rainfall between September 26 to October 5.
