GUWAHATI: The two waves of flood in the Assam so far this year have caused 26 breaches river embankments and dykes 15 districts causing immense hardship to people besides devastating lives and property. The two waves of flood in the state so far claimed over 160 lives besides causing extensive damage to standing crop besides affecting altogether over 60 lakh people.
Assam’s water resources minister, Keshav Mahanta on Monday informed details about the embankments breached in 15 districts stated that the river island district of Majuli suffered maximum 10 breaches in embankments so far. The minister has ordered two inquiries into the breach of a particular embankment at Hatimurah in Kaliabor constituency of Assam suspecting foul play.
He said that the particular embankment in Kalibor constituency which is represented by him, was found alright and strong enough by the inspection team of State Water Resources Department on August 12 last but it was breached on the night of same day causing unprecedented flood in Kaliabor sub-division and other parts of Nagaon district.
Mahanta said, “I have already ordered two enquiries into the breach in my capacity. I have also written to the chief minister, requesting him to order another high-level enquiry. The breach occurred under mysterious circumstances. I suspect a conspiracy behind the breach.”
“No one found involved in any wrongdoing will be spared and if evidence against me is found, I won’t hesitate to resign,” he added. Several lakh people in entire Kaliabor were affected as water from Kolong river submerged the area following the breach in Hatimurah, leading to an unprecedented situation.
He said, “Two major waves of floods have hit the state this year so far and this has resulted in 26 breaches in embankments and dykes in 15 districts. Majuli suffered the highest number of breaches with 10 reported so far.”
He said five of the 26 breached had already been plugged and the rest would be plugged soon as soon as the water receded. He said Ranganadi River which breached its embankment at Bogolijan causing devastation in Lakhimpur district, had been diverted by cutting a new channel.