Assam suspects dam water caused floods

“We suspect NEEPCO has released water from Ranganadi. Otherwise how would large tracts in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji get inundated all of a sudden and that too without heavy rain?” he asked.

While flash floods in the Jiyadhal and Kumatiya on Friday affected a population of over 40,000, the floods also severed the National Highway 52 at several places, thus cutting most parts of the district from the rest of the state. Three districts of Arunachal Pradesh have also lost their road link with the rest of the country.

Narah said the flash floods have caused as many as nine breaches on the embankments and dykes in Lakhimpur district, while three major breaches were reported from Dhemaji.

“We have already reported the matter to the National Disaster Management Authority and apprised them of our apprehensions that water has been released from dams in Arunachal,” he said.

Dhemaji Additional Deputy Commissioner R Das said while the water-level had considerably receded, over 10,000 people were still in relief camps and temporary shelters. The authorities have asked the Army to construct a Bailey bridge to help resume road communication on NH 52.

Flash floods in the Kakoi, Singora and Durpang rivers—all minor tributaries of the Brahmaputra—have affected over 15,000 persons in Lakhimpur district. Road communication to the interior areas of the district has been disrupted.