India: Floods wreak havoc in Assam; Air Force to carry diesel, petrol to Silchar tomorrow

As the flood situation in the Indian state of Assam continues to remain critical, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday informed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will carry one lakh litres of diesel and petrol to Silchar on Tuesday.

On Monday, the flood waters submerged Silchar town in the Cachar district. In view of the continuous entering of water from the Barak River into the Silchar town, the Cachar district administration has restricted vehicular movement on many roads.

Speaking to media persons at Diphu in Karbi Anglong district, the Chief Minister said, “For the first time in the history of Assam, a special plane of Indian Air Force will carry 1 lakh litres of diesel and petrol to Silchar tomorrow (June 21). The Northeast Frontier Railway has also agreed to run a special relief train.”

The Deputy Commissioners will use the Northeast Frontier Railway during the flood situation.

“Several columns of the Indian army are engaged in relief and rescue operations. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), and all state government departments, social organizations, and persons are engaged in relief and rescue operations. We are sure that we will be able to overcome this critical time,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister further informed that more than 2000 villages of Nagaon and Morigaon district are still reeling under flood waters in the state.

“We are trying to help the flood-affected people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called me to enquire about the flood situation in the state. Today morning Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also called and all central government agencies Indian Air Force, Indian Railway, Indian Army are engaged in relief and rescue operations,” he noted.

“There is no fund problem. All this is possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s instruction,” Sarma said.

Meanwhile, Assam State Disaster Management Authority informed that 11 people died in floods and landslides in the last 24 hours.

As nearly 42.28 lakh people in 33 districts in Assam have been affected, Sarma on Monday directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to prioritise relief operations instead of following procedures to avoid delays in supply relief.

The flood and landslides have claimed 82 lives in Assam this year so far and 27 people are still missing.

In the current spell of flood in the state, more than 12.30 lakh people have been affected alone in lower Assam’s Barpeta district followed by 4.69 lakh in Darrang, 4.40 lakh in Nagaon, 3.38 lakh in Bajali, 2.91 lakh in Dhubri, 2.82 lakh in Kamrup, 2.80 lakh in Goalpara, 2.07 lakh in Cachar, 1.84 lakh in Nalbari, 1.51 lakh in South Salmara, 1.46 lakh in Bongaigaon, 1.34 lakh in Karimganj district.

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As the flood waters submerged Silchar town in the Cachar district on Monday, an order issued by the district administration stated that “The water levels at various places of the town are rapidly rising and the current of water is also very high. Considering the situation, it is very risky for vehicles(two-wheelers/three-wheelers/four-wheelers) to ply through the route starting from Bilpar to National Highway through Rangirkhari Point and from Bilpar to Link Road point through Sonai Road.”

“With a view to further augment our efforts, with a view to safeguarding the lives of people, vehicular traffic to, from and within the above-mentioned area is hereby restricted for the next 24 hours by exercising the powers vested with District Disaster Management Authority under section 34, subsection (b) of the Disaster Management Act 2005 w.e.f for the next 24 hours."

• India