Assam is on high alert as flash floods in Arunachal raise flood threat downstream

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The Assam government is closely monitoring the flash flood situation in parts of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, as an increased river flow is likely to have impacts in the downstream, an official statement said on Wednesday.

In view of the heavy rainfall in the upper catchments, a substantial rise in water levels and flow velocity is anticipated in the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries in the downstream areas of Assam.

The flood wave is expected to affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur before moving further downstream through other districts and eventually traversing Dhubri over the next one or two days, the statement said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and other officials to remain on maximum alert and ensure all necessary preparedness measures, it said.

District administrations in potentially affected areas have been asked to maintain close vigilance and take timely preventive and response measures, the statement said.

Teams of SDRF, NDRF and other emergency response agencies are ready for deployment, and field-level officers have been directed to closely monitor river conditions and vulnerable locations, the statement said.

People residing in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to remain vigilant and move to safer places.

Citizens are requested not to venture into inundated areas and to avoid travelling by country boats and other small vessels on the Brahmaputra and other rivers during this period, as river currents are expected to increase considerably, it said.

The Assam government is maintaining constant coordination with all agencies and district administrations concerned and will continue to issue advisories and updates as required in the interest of public safety, the release added.

According to information received from the regional meteorological centres at Guwahati and Itanagar, the Yazali station in Arunachal Pradesh recorded about 72.8 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours, with a major part occurring between 6 am and 9 am on Wednesday.

Satellite and radar imagery indicate that torrential rainfall occurred between 6 am and 7.30 am, resulting in flash floods and a substantial increase in river discharge in the upper catchment areas, it said.

Flash floods have been reported in the Panyor Lower Hydroelectric Project (formerly Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project) area. Due to the sudden increase in inflows, the authorities concerned undertook operational measures and opened one spillway gate to release excess water.

Reports from Yazali indicate that flash floods accompanied by debris flow damaged houses and infrastructure in the areas, the release said.

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