Flood-hit people have been shifted to safer place. Image credit - Northeast Now

Incessant rains and the water released by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) from its Ranganadi hydro-electric dam have increased the water level of Ranganadi river in North Lakhimpur since Monday evening.

NEEPCO released its dam water from Monday afternoon through several gates which made the river in spat in its downstream areas in Lakhimpur district.

The rising water of Ranganadi inundated No. 1 and No. 2 Gobarihali, Pachnoi, Borbeel villages and in the Zohing-Koilamari region.

The swollen Ranganadi river water also swept away several bamboo bridges connecting both the banks of the river near North Lakhimpur town.

Also read: Assam: Floods hit over 13,000 people in Jorhat district

The Lakhimpur district administration sounded a high alert on the river bank areas of Ranganadi asking people not to use bamboo bridges across the river or to venture out on boats and for fishing.

Alarms have been activated and Gaon Burhas are being informed about the release of dam water in the river by NEEPCO.

Flood waters wash away a bamboo bridge in Lakhimpur district. Image credit – Northeast Now
Flood waters wash away a bamboo bridge in Lakhimpur district. Image credit – Northeast Now

Meanwhile, the district administration with the help of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel evacuated people living on the right hand side of Ranganadi river.

The marooned people have been shifted to the embankment on the left hand side of the river in Borbeel.

However, some villagers were reluctant to leave their houses as their belongings and cattle were there in the flooded areas.

There are flood and inundation in other parts of Lakhimpur district as heavy rains continue to lash the area in the last twenty four hours.

In Nowboicha, several villages have been flooded by the overflowing waters of river Singra.

Increased water of river Subansiri also inundated vast areas in Lohit-Khabolu areas of Lakhimpur district.

Farhana Ahmed is Northeast Now Correspondent in North Lakhimpur. She can be reached at: [email protected]