1.2 lakh people affected by flood in West Garo Hills district

Around 1.2 lakh people in 136 villages in West Garo Hills district have been affected by the floods, a senior district official said today.
"A total of 136 villages in Selsella block along with 3-4 villages in Tikrikilla blocks have been affected by the recent flood. Over 1.2 lakh people have been affected and a total of 22,898 households were hit in the current flooding of the area," district deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said.
As the water level in the Brahmaputra tributary, the Jingiram River, continue to rise inundating villages over the weekend, an assessment was done and the flood declared, he said.

"We have set up 24 relief camps for the affected flood victims with the PHE being asked to provide water tanks and setting up of tube wells to provide for safe drinking water," he said.
A State Disaster Relief Force team is camping in the area to attend to any emergencies and 209 country boats have been requisitioned for rescue, Bakshi said.
The district administration has also announced 14 days of Gratuitous Relief (GR) for the affected people.

Asked on how bad the situation is, Bakshi said the flood is the worst in recent times and people have literally been living on the roof top of their houses.

Forest minister Clement Marak (Selsella), state Speaker, AT Mondal (Phulbari), Ashahel D Shira (Rajabala) and Michael T Sangma (Tikrikilla) held reviews with the district administration.
As of today, many schools and colleges have been inundated by flood waters and with the situation in Dhubri and South Salmara also grim and it could take another 72 hours before things improve, the deputy commissioner said.