Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, August 13

The Army has been called out to help in rescue operations in western Assam areas and in Karbi Anglong district of central Assam that has been hit by a fresh wave of floods.All branches of the Armed Forces, including the Indian Air Force, in the region are in a state of full readiness to launch flood rescue operations when required to provide speedy relief and succor to those affected.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to enquire about the scale of devastation caused by the floods as the situation has remained grim and more deaths have been reported from different corners.Sonowal apprised the PM of the measures taken by the government to provide relief to the flood-affected people and that the administrations of all 19 flood-hit districts have been directed to ensure speedy relief distribution to the victims, a source in the CM’s office said. The PM assured all cooperation from the Centre in overcoming the havoc caused by floods.Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary of the PMO, on Sunday directed Chief Secretary of the state VK Pipersenia to submit a report to the PMO detailing the damage and devastation caused by the floods.The CM has directed the district deputy commissioners to provide ex gratia to the next of kin of those killed in floods within 48 hours of every such death.Meanwhile, the Red Horns Division of the Army moved swiftly to the aid of flood-hit western Assam and in Karbi Anglong in Central Assam. In response to a call for help from the civil administration, the Army sent out multiple teams in areas of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) and Karbi Anglong district of Assam.Nearly 3,000 people trapped in villages were rescued amidst strong water currents and taken to relief camps. The Army has deployed its boats to reach the marooned people and made a number of trips against the swift current to rescue them.Sonowal today visited flood relief camps at Bhismak LP School at Panchmile, Sadiya, and took stock of the arrangements for the inmates. He also visited Kundil riverside over Kundil Bridge and directed the Water Resource Department to take immediate measures to stop erosion.The continuous erosion by the Kundil has been causing serious threat to Panchmile, Lakhimi Gaon, Bogoribari apart from threatening Kundil Bridge. Sonowal said dredging of the Kundil would be taken up in winter so that the change in the course of river can be tackled.

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In Nepal, 200 Indians stranded 

• Nearly 600 tourists, including 200 Indians, have been stranded in central Nepal’s Chitwan due to flooding triggered by heavy rains that have claimed 55 lives, officials said on Sunday
• Heavy rains have lashed Nepal for the past three days, causing flooding and landslides at several places
• The swollen Rapti river flooded several hotels in the Chitwan Valley, where the country’s first national park is located PTI

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320 NDRF personnel rushed to Bihar

• Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday discussed with CM Nitish Kumar the flood situation in Bihar where nearly 320 NDRF personnel have been rushed
• Movement of 17 trains was affected due to heavy rain in Seemanchal region, while several trains were cancelled due to inundated Kishanganj railway station
• Nitish sought 10 additional companies of NDRF and IAF personnel and helicopters for rescue and relief operations TNS