By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Assam has been placed on heightened alert after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Subansiri district raised concerns over rising water levels in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries over the next 24 to 48 hours.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, heavy rainfall in the upper catchments and increased river discharge are expected to cause a significant rise in water levels and flow velocity downstream. The flood wave is likely to first affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur districts before moving further downstream and eventually reaching Dhubri over the next two days.
Following directions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota held consultations with concerned authorities and directed departments to maintain maximum preparedness and ensure a timely response to any emerging situation.
District administrations in vulnerable areas have been asked to closely monitor river conditions, embankments and low-lying settlements. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency agencies have been kept on standby for rapid deployment.
Residents of flood-prone and low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant and shift to safer places if instructed by local authorities. The government has also cautioned people against venturing into inundated areas or using country boats and small vessels in swollen rivers.
Data from the Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati, and the Meteorological Centre, Itanagar, showed that Yazali in Lower Subansiri district received 72.8 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, with the heaviest spell occurring between 6 am and 9 am on June 24. Satellite and radar observations indicated intense rainfall over a short period, resulting in flash floods and a sharp rise in river inflows.
Flash flooding was reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project area, formerly known as the Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project, where one spillway gate was opened as a precautionary measure following a sudden increase in water inflow. Authorities also reported debris flow and damage to houses and local infrastructure in parts of Yazali.