Monsoon mayhem
after the recent two waves of floods, the overall situation in Assam continues to be grim. There has been reports of 29 major breaches in the Brahmaputra valley. The Kaziranga National Park, which is submerged under water, has caused concern as loss to wildlife is feared.
Addressing a press conference recently in Guwahati, the state flood control minister, Pramode Gogoi, said that erosion and overtopping were the main reasons for the breakage in the embankments. He said that personnel of the flood control department are working round the clock to repair the damages.
Heavy rainfall in the Brahmaputra valley, which ranges from 2,480 mm to 6,350 mm or more over the five monsoon months, wreaks havoc in the state. "The state was unlucky to experience the second spate of flood within such a short spell of time and the reason was again incessant rainfall in the upper catchment areas,' said Gogoi.
The overall flood situation in the Barak river valley districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi in south Assam also took a critical turn. The turbulent Barak river and its tributaries submerged more lands in the low-lying habitations and farmlands. A large number of people inhabiting these areas have already been evacuated to safer places by the government.