Second wave of floods in Assam

Guwahati, Jul 5 (PTI) Assam's flood-prone districts of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur have been hit by a second wave of flood following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas.

The incessant rain has snapped railway links, inundated over 20 villages affecting more than ten thousand people in Dhemaji district alone.

Heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Arunachal Pradesh has led to an alarming rise in the water level of Gai and Jiadhol rivers in Dhemaji district leading to breaches in several parts of the district, official sources said.

River Gai has breached embankments at Bordoloi village while the Jiadhol has breached a dyke at Dhakuakakhana.

Flood water has washed away the boulder base of both sides of a railway bridge between Dhemaji and Silapathar stations on Rangapara North-Murkong Selek section of North Eastern Frontier Railway following which train services were suspended between Lakhimpur and Murkong Selek.

NF Railway spokesman Samir Goswami said that the Railway's engineering department has already started repair works but train services was expected to be affected for the next four days.

Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation releasing water from its dam in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh which, according to Assam Chief
Minister Tarun Gogoi had caused the devastating first wave of floods in the two districts.

The first wave of flood in the two districts last month had affected more than ten lakh people and claimed 22 lives.