Flood 2.0: River water engulf many parts of Silchar town on Monday early morning

June 20: In view of torrential rainfall and Barak River flowing much above the danger level, the District administration had rang the warning bell on Sunday night and informed the public to stay alert as the town may be flooded. Infact, the dyke at Bethukandi had been damaged and despite of earnest efforts to restore that portion, river water is now entering the town at a great speed. From around 3.30 in the morning on Monday, water engulfed various parts of Silchar town.

The flow of water through the broken dyke at Bethukandi inundated low lying areas of Silchar Town (especially Kanakpur, Sonai Road, Rangirkhari, Link Road, Ashram Road, College Road, Public School Road, Shyamananda Ashram Road, Chandicharan Road, Shib Colony Fatak Bazar areas etc) and nearby areas of Betukandi. Electricity supply in most of the flood affected areas were snapped.

Due to rising water level, Transformers at various locations like National Highway, Das Colony, Sonai Road (opp. Rangirkhari OP), Link Road area, Shantipur Lane 1 & 2, Hrishi Aurobinda Sarani etc. have been isolated for safety reason. “We are constantly monitoring water level and all DTRs will be reconnected once water level falls below danger level,” stated APDCL, Electrical Sub-Division-II. In areas like Public School Road, Bilpar, electric connections were snapped by APDCL since Monday early morning.

Considering, the pace of river water, it was advised to vulnerable section of public residing in and around the above mentioned areas to take precautions and shift to a safe place for immediate shelter. For evacuation purpose, in case of emergency, people may call at District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Cachar at:

• Toll Free- 1077
• Phone No: 03842- 239249/ 234005
• Mobile No:9401624141

The CEO of DDMA Cachar also stated, “Further, other citizens are requested to avoid leaving their houses unless extremely important. Please do not allow children to play in flooded water, use caution at night and avoid touching electric poles. Senior citizens, pregnant women, children, people with locomotor disability may be given special assistance.”

Moreover, it has been raining cats and dogs since around 3 AM on Monday. Due to incessant rainfall since the last few days, the water level of river Barak has again started to rise and crossed the danger level at 11 AM on 18 June. From 1 AM on Monday, the water level of Barak was steady at 21.48 mt till 3 AM. The Cumulative Daily Rainfall in Cachar was recorded at 267.5 mm.

As per report received from Assam Water Resource Department, river Barak at Annapurna Ghat, Silchar at 5 AM on Monday, was flowing above the danger level and was recorded at 21.49 metres. The danger level at this point is 19.83 metre. The water level is steady at this hour. As of now, this is the highest water level of River Barak at Annapurna Ghat this year.

The highest flood level at this point was recorded at 21.763 on 11 September, 2007.