From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Lightning killed three persons including a blind couple in Tezpur in Sonitpur district of Assam where incessant rains and flood waters of Jiabharali and Jorasar rivers have wrecked havoc in certain areas particularly Goroimari and Balipara. Floodwaters have also inundated a portion of the airport in Tezpur.
A blind couple identified as Mohan Topno and Phulmoni Topno of Pakhijan near Tezpur was killed after they were struck by lightning on Wednesday. Another person was also killed due to lightning at Binduguri area in the district.
Flood waters of Jiabharali and Jorasar have inundated dwelling houses of over hundred families at Goroimari and Balipara near Tezpur. The government health centre at Balipara too has been submerged in flood waters.
Meanwhile, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has announced an Rs 100 crore grant for overall development of the flood-ravaged Dhemaji district of the state where over 1.54 lakh people from over 260 villages were severely affected by flash floods of Gai-nadi and Jiadhal rivers on August 15 last leaving the infrastructure in the state in shambles.
After making an on-the-spot assessment of flood-affected district on Tuesday, the chief minister made the announcement before the flood-hit at Silapathar and Sisiborgaon in the district. He also announced ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of those killed during the flood.
Those who have lost their ‘pucca’ houses in the flood will get Rs 25,000 per family while Rs 10, 000 per family will be provided to those whose thatched houses were swept away by the flash flood. Gogoi also assured special assistance to students of the district affected by the flood, according to an official source here.
During a meeting with district administration officials, railway officials and officials of Border Road Organisation, Gogoi instructed the restore the course of Gai-nadi that caused the devastation by changing the course on August 15 last near Sisiborgaon. He instructed the Deputy Commissioner to prepare an elaborate plan for infrastructure development of flood-ravaged Dhemaji district.
Gogoi said cooperation of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh government was essential to resolve the problem of perennial flood and erosion in Dhemaji district which is always at the receiving end when rivers flowing from Arunachal Hill are on the spate.
Gogoi said he would take up the urgent need for formation of North Eastern Water Resources Authority (NEWRA) to put up a coordinated regional effort against flood and erosion problem with the Prime Minister. Arunachal Pradesh government has been opposed to the concept of NEWRA.
The chief minister issued strict instruction to the district administration to maintain continuous supply of food, medicines, drinking water and clothes to the flood-hit people.