The district administration of East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh besides district administrations of Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Majuli in Assam have sounded alert of deluge due to unprecedented rise of water in Siang river, which is creating panic among the people living in downstream Assam.
East Siang Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tamiyo Tatak following a report of heavy downpour at Tsangpo river in China, which was relayed to Arunachal government by Government of India, sounded alert of possible deluge by Siang river and asked the people residing in low lying areas to refrain from venturing into Siang river and nearby water bodies to prevent any eventualities.
The DC in a circular issued on Wednesday stated that Tsangpo River is swelling with observed discharge of 9020 cumec on Wednesday morning, which has broke the record of last five decades.
Following the report received from Arunachal Pradesh government, Dhemaji district administration in Assam also sounded high alert and asked the people of riverine villages to stay ready for shifting to safe places.
The administrations however, asked the people not to be panic in this regard as the water resource department is keeping sharp vigil on the situation and any impending danger would be informed to the people in advance.
Likewise, Dibrugarh DC Laya Maddhuri , who refers report of Assam State Disaster Management Authority, has warned the people of unprecedented rise of water level in mighty Brahmaputra, said that it might cause severe flood on the left bank.
The Dibrugarh district administration has taken all the measures to prevent any loss of lives and property of the people of various revenue circles.
The DC in an order issued on Thursday asked government officials not to leave headquarter for the days and stay alert to deal with the situation.
The DC also ordered cancel of all earlier permission to officials to leave headquarter. She, however, told reporters that there is no reason to be panicked.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. We have sent our team to various flood prone areas under Chabua revenue circle. If required we will evacuate people from those areas. We have kept vehicles, boats ready at the vulnerable areas. We have deputed the Circle Officers, Zonal Officers, Sector officers and other officers in all the vulnerable areas to monitor the situation and take necessary measures in case of any eventuality” Madduri told reporters in Dibrugarh.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) reported that the discharge of Tsangpo on August 14 was 8070 cumec and incremental discharge should not inflict severe damages and as such should not panic.
Pasighat East (Arunachal) MLA Kaling Moyong in a message circulated in social media urged the people of Pasighat and downstream Assam not to be panic with the alert.
He said Arunachal and Assam governments are keeping frequent contact with CWC and constantly observing the situation. The government will take every necessary measure to ensure safety of the riverine villagers, he said.
As per report of Water Resource department, Siang is flowing below the danger mark at Pasighat till 6 pm this evening.
The flood alert in Siang valley is resurfacing the agonies of 2000 China flood among the minds of riverine villagers, who witnessed huge deluge and ecological catastrophe in the region.