By  Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : According to an official release by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the flood in Hailakandi district of Assam has affected 58,208 people. The first wave of flood has affected crops spread over 740 hectares, read the release. Around 51 relief camps have been set up by the district administration, which is now sheltering 23,689 flood affected people. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the affected areas.Altogether eight boats are being pressed into service for rescue and relief operations. Around 11 roads have been submerged with several culverts washed away across the district. There are no reports of any casualties in the district as of now. On the other hand, the Meteorological Department has issued a 48 hours warning of heavy monsoon showers in southern Assam and Tripura.The number of flood-hit people in the State swelled up to 3,86,570, according to a flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

As on June 15, 668 number of villages in seven districts – Hojai, Cachar, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Karbi Anglong (East) and West Karbi Anglong – have been affected in the first wave of flood, fully damaging 325 houses. Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat), Jia Bharali at NT Rd Xing (Sonitpur) Barak at AP Ghat (Cachar) and Badarpurghat (Karimganj), Katakhal at Matizuri (Hailakandi), Kushiyara at Karimganj (Karimganj) are flowing above danger levels. Landslide occurred at Mahur, Harangajao, Maibang, Dima Hasao in which 136 houses were fully damaged and in Birubari, Nizarapara, Kamrup Metro. No casualty/injury has been reported so far. NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and Assam Rifles teams have been engaged into service in the flood-affected areas for search and rescue operations. 471 persons have been rescued in from Karimganj, Hailakandi, Cachar and Golaghat by rescue operation teams. 162 number of camps are operational in Karimganj, Hailakandi, Karbi Anglong (East) and Golaghat with 67,175 inmates. According to the flood bulletin, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has started releasing water from the dam of its Ranganadi Hydroelectric Power Project in a regulated manner and the situation is under control till now. The district administrations of the hydropower station’s downstream districts are in close touch with the NEEPCO and that they were kept on high alert, as stated in the bulletin.