Lakhimpur: Lakhimpur district in Assam has grappled with a worsening flood situation due to rising water levels in the Subansiri and Ranganadi rivers.
The state government has been forced to cancel the District Commissioners Conference and Chief Minister’s visit scheduled for July 3 in North Lakhimpur to address the emergency.
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Incessant rain since the previous night has caused a significant rise in water levels across major rivers, including the Subansiri and Ranganadi, both of which have hydropower dams upstream.
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Today, the Subansiri River’s water level surged alarmingly, causing panic in downstream Lakhimpur areas.
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The rising river has flooded several villages in the Ghagar-Kalakhowa area, just 5 kilometres from the district headquarters, North Lakhimpur. Villages like Mohaijan, Mohaijan Mising, Mohaijan Mazgaon, Ghagar-Kolakhowa, Ghagar, Potia, Rontijan, No. 1 and No. 2 Kurhimari, Borchapori, Naharani, Dhalghat, and Badulipora are among the worst affected by the Subansiri floods.
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According to a Gaon Panchayat member, the total number of affected villages could be as high as seventeen.
Earlier, authorities at the near-complete 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Power (SLHEP) plant by the National Hydro-electrical Power Corporation (NHPC) at Gerukamukh predicted a discharge of 16,000 cumec of water from upstream into the Subansiri River, potentially causing floods in downstream Lakhimpur areas.
The NHPC assured that despite the surge in water level at the dam site, the dam itself is not under threat, and daily operations continue as usual.
On the other side of North Lakhimpur town, rising water levels in the Ranganadi River are causing concern for residents living on both banks. The North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) opened the gates of the Pan yor (Ranganadi) Hydro Electric Plant this morning.
According to the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in North Lakhimpur, Gate No 1 of the Panyor (Ranganadi) Lower Hydro Power Station at Yazali was opened to 2200 mm and Gate No. 2 to 550 mm at 9.20 am today.
These same gates were subsequently opened to 550 mm and 1000 mm respectively at 1.30 pm, leading to a further rise in Ranganadi’s water levels in North Lakhimpur.