In view of devastating floods affecting Lakhimpur district and nearby areas in Assam, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) with the help of Gramin Mahila Vikash Kendra, a leading NEDFi assisted NGO of the district, organised three camps in three different locations with close association of the district administration. The Deputy Commissioner of the district, Jayanta Nalikar also attended one of the three camps. Bleaching powder, medicines, tarpaulin sheets, chira, gur, clothes were distributed among the inmates of the three camps.

Train services have been suspended between North Lakhimpur and Murkong Selek under the Rangia division after floodwater washed away the bolder base of both sides of a railway bridge between Dhemaji and Silapathar stations. The 5814 Dn Murkong Selek- Rangia Arunachal Express stands cancel between Murkong Selek and North Lakhimpur. The train will leave North Lakhimpur at 5 am on July 5 instead of 9.15 pm of July 4. The 761 Up Rangapara-Murkong Selek Passenger has been terminated at North Lakhimpur instead of Murkong Selek. It will return from North Lakhimpur as 762 Dn on July 5.

NORTH LAKHIMPUR

The deterioration of the flood scene in Lakhimpur district following release of excess water from the Ranganadi dam has once again raised serious questions over the viability of mega hydel projects without assessing their downstream impacts as also the very idea of constructing such projects on the Himalayan biodiversity zone. "The Centre's grandiose plans of generating hydro-electricity through big dams in Arunachal Pradesh completely ignore the immense dimensions of the issues involved.

The overall flood situation in Lakhimpur district improved today with floodwaters of the Ronganadi, Singara, Dikrong and Kakoi receding to a great extent. However, the fresh announcement of the NEEPCO authorities to release water from the Ronganadi Hydel Power dam has sent alarm bells ringing in the district. Both Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts are cut off from the rest of the State for the fourth day today, as the about nine-metre deep breach in NH-52 at Ganesh Udyan is yet to be repaired.

At least 27 people are feared killed and more than 3 lakh people displaced in the northeast, particularly Assam, with the onset of monsoons. Not just the northeast, but large parts of northern Orissa are also under water, with the army and administration on overdrive to evacuate villagers in the flood-hit parts of the states.

The districts of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji and parts of Arunachal Pradesh have been totally cut off from the rest of the country following washing away of a portion of National Highway-52 by flood waters and it will take some time to restore road communication even as the flood situation in Lakhimpur district remained grave with as many as 11 breaches in the embankments. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner, Manish Thakur said that though the weather condition improved today, the situation remained grave today.

Fresh wave of floods this year is creating havoc in many parts of upper Asom, particularly in Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh districts. The Central Water Commission said the Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Nimati Ghat in Jorhat. CWC sources said water levels of the Brahmaputra will cross the danger mark if rainfall continues at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. "In eventuality of waters of the Brahmaputra rising in the next few days, the famed Majuli island would be the first to be inundated,' CWC sources said.

NORTH LAKHIMPUR

Due to the unabated erosion at the Matmara dyke in Dhakuakhana by the river Brahmaputra, about 80 families, who had been living there since 2007 had to leave their homes to other safe places. According to sources, a part of the Matmara dyke had already been submerged as the concrete embankments that were built to check the inflow of the flood waters had been destroyed.