ASSAM: INQUIRY TO BE ORDERED INTO BREACHES IN EMBANKMENTS

Minister for Water Resources, Keshab Mahanta said the government would order inquiry into breaches in embankments that occurred in the first wave of floods in Assam.

Talking to media persons in Hailakandi after visiting the erosion affected areas and embankment breaches at Lala in Hailakandi district, Patharkandi in Karimganj and Gosaigaon in Cachar district yesterday, Mahanta said that the government would order inquiry into breaches in embankments across the State that aggravated the flood situation and would not spare the officials and the contractors if found guilty.

Mahanta said that he made a whirlwind visit to assess the flood situation in Barak Valley at the direction of the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, the flood situation in worst hit Hailakandi district slightly improved with the water levels of Katakhal, Dholeswari and Barak rivers receding in the past 24 hours. However, the three rivers are still flowing above the danger level.

Deputy Commissioner, Adil Khan has been visiting the affected areas taking stock of the situation and directed the concerned departments, particularly Public Health Engineering and Health departments to provide purified drinking water and medical treatment to the affected people. 81,703 inmates are lodged in 110 relief camps opened by the administration.

Of the 331 villages, 235 have been hit, rendering many homeless. Altogether 205762 have been affected in the district. 316 persons have been evacuated by SDRF and NDRF personnel in Lala and Algapur revenue circles. The death toll in flood related incidents in the district has risen to two, with the recovery of a dead body today.

Relief operation is going on in full swing with 4447.71 quintals of rice, 837.82 quintals of dal and 251.87 quintals of salt distributed amongst the affected people. Around 200 quintals of wheat bran provided to 2, 03,900 affected livestock, big and small.