Following severe flooding in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, two significant operations have effectively prevented fatalities. More than 6.5 lakh people in 19 districts of Assam are suffering due to severe flooding.
Thirteen fishermen were left stranded on a riverine island in the Dibrugarh district for four days when the Brahmaputra River swelled due to continuous rainfall. In response to the dire situation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) moved quickly to execute a difficult airlift using helicopters from its Mohanbari base, as requested by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Deba Narayan Hazarika, the Revenue Circle Officer for Dibrugarh West, communicated with the IAF to guarantee exact coordination for the operation. “Everyone who was saved is safe,” Mr. Hazarika affirmed.
After being rescued and given immediate first aid, the fishermen were then taken to their homes, bringing an end to a traumatic experience. The airlift’s expenses would be paid for, the ASDMA affirmed.
Another IAF helicopter was dispatched in parallel with the Dibrugarh operation to rescue eight members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a revenue official who had become stranded on a sandbar in Jonai, Dhemaji district. Because traditional boat rescues were considered too dangerous in the choppy conditions on the Brahmaputra, air intervention became necessary.
The ASDMA CEO obtained immediate clearance from the Center after receiving a direct request for assistance from the Assam Police and Fire and Emergency Services. The ASDMA also covered all of the expenses associated with this air operation.
As the Brahmaputra and other major rivers surged to unmanageable levels, communities and infrastructure in Assam suffered severe consequences.
In Dibrugarh, a serious infrastructure issue has emerged. The National Highway 37 bridge over the Buri Dihing River near Khowang has a large crack in it. There are concerns about a possible collapse due to the compromised structure’s integrity, with one end of the Sivasagar side sinking towards Dibrugarh.
A decision regarding the bridge’s status is still pending, and the Dibrugarh district administration plans to inspect the damage immediately. It may soon be necessary to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles to avoid a catastrophic accident.
With 143,983 affected, Lakhimpur is the hardest-hit district, followed by Dhemaji (101,333) and Cachar (66,195). Forty-five people have died as a result of the storm, landslide, and flood. With additional assistance from 64 relief distribution centers, 72 relief camps have provided a haven for over 8,142 displaced people.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister, recognized the seriousness of the situation in Dibrugarh, where floodwaters have engulfed the important town for six days running. A combination of broken equipment and high water levels have complicated efforts to remove the water.
95 of the 233 forest camps in the Kaziranga National Park are now underwater, which is why the Golaghat district administration has implemented speed limits on NH-37 (New NH-715) in order to shield wildlife from cars.
The 11 Assam Rifles and the NDRF launched an early-morning operation in Arunachal Pradesh to rescue 70 pupils, five teachers, and a number of civilians from Bijoypur village in the Diyun circle of the Changlang district. They negotiated dangerous floodwaters with specialized boats in order to rescue the stranded group.
For the Imphal Valley in Manipur, a flood advisory has also been issued as a preventative measure against potential downstream impacts.
