From Our Correspondent
Guwahati:Flood situation in Assam on Tuesday turned grim with most of the rivers breaching embankments and inundating new areas all over Brahmaputra Valley.
Road links have been snapped in many places while death tool due to the current wave of flood has mounted to 11 with one more person being washed away by flood waters in Dibrugarh district.
The deceased was identified as Balin Tai. The flood has also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and government and private property.
The authorities have already pressed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to evacuate the marooned villagers to safer places.
Army and Indian Air Force Personnel too have been pressed into flood rescue operations in the worst affected Tinsukia and Dhemaji districts.
In Dhemaji district, the river Brahmaputra caused a breach of about 100 meters near Machkhowa inundating over 150 villages.
About 50,000 people have been affected by the flood in the district. Flood water has inundated several villages near Nemati ghat in Jorhat district driving thousands out of their home.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who is now in the U.S. on an official tour, instructed the concerned departments to intensify relief and rescue works. He also instructed the disaster management unit to remain alert for any eventuality.
Meanwhile, flash flood caused by heavy precipitation since late Monday night, on Tuesday caused havoc in the entire Guwahati city once again deluging several areas in the heart of the city. Educational institutions had to be closed for the day while attendance in government offices was very slim as people could not come of their marooned localities in the city.
Several areas of Fatasil Ambari, Lachit Nagar, Anil Nagar, Rajgarh, Bhangagarh, Tarun Nagar, Zoo road, GS road were flooded, following heavy rains since Monday night. One person was killed due landslide triggered by the heavy rain at Shantipur hill side in the city.
Water entered many households, bringing with it the filth from the drains and the streets.
Several students were also stuck in the water-logged streets and the ensuing traffic congestion due to the flash floods. Most of the key roads in the city were inundated bringing vehicular movement to a grinding halt.
Ferry services between the northern and southern banks of the Brahmaputra have been suspended till further orders due to rising water levels and swift current, sources said.
Suspension of ferry operations at Naematighat and Majuli island in Jorhat has caused hardship to the people of the island, for whom the service in their lifeline.
Patients in hospitals of Majuli, Asia’s largest river island, needing urgent treatment are the worst affected.
A total of 72 villages in Majuli have been submerged by rising waters of the Brahmaputra, which has also entered the main police station and two colleges in the island.
The historic satra (Vaishnative monastery) of Kamalabari has been threatened by the flood water. People in Kamalabari area have started vacating homes and moving to higher grounds.
Many roads in the island have been submerged. (With inputs from PTI)