GUWAHATI: In view of the deluge in Lakhimpur district created by the sudden release of excess water by NEEPCO from its Ranganadi dam during previous years, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal strongly warned the NEEPCO authorities not to repeat the mistake this year. Reviewing the flood situation in Lakhimpur district to Thursday at Lakhimpur DC Office conference hall, Sonowal said that because of the sudden release of water by NEEPCO without any warning people in a large portion of Lakhimpur district had to face tremendous difficulty caused by flood in the last few years.
Sonowal highlighted the lack of proper planning on part of NEEPCO’s to make a dam capable holding much water which results in inundation of Lakhimpur district till October-November every year.
Directing the NEEPCO authorities to build a reservoir for holding water, the chief minister urged the organisation to adopt advanced engineering technology and knowhow and he warned the organisation to stay prepared for paying for the losses of the people affected by flood caused by Ranganadi dam’s water in the coming days.
Issuing direction to the Lakhimpur district administration for concretising the raised platforms erected for providing shelter to the flood victims, Sonowal instructed for making the concrete platforms with multipurpose functionality and conducting survey of the land required for building the platforms.
The chief minister also directed the Health Department to organise health camps at the flood affected areas and visit the villages for providing medical services after the flood recedes. HE also directed Veterinary Department doctors to go to the villages for offering medical services to the animals, Sonowal instructed the department’s medical officers to work with sensitivity towards animals under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner.
In view of the weakening of embankments and their faulty construction, the chief minister directed the Water Resources Department to monitor the embankment construction works implemented by Zila Parishads under MGNREGA. Instructing the Deputy Commissioner to issue work completion certificate in consultation with Water Resources Department, Sonowal also directed the department to submit fitness certificates of the river embankments.
Calling on the officers and staffs to work with a team spirit to overcome the challenges posed by flood, the chief minister said that the government has taken all steps beforehand to provide necessary relief and ensured releasing of ex-gratia within 48 hours under SDRF in case of a person’s death due to flood.