Inland waterways ghats in different places connecting banks of different rivers in Lakhimpur district have been allegedly violating the ban on navigation imposed by the district authority.
The district administration had imposed a ban of all types of ferrying, boating and fishing with boats in all the rivers of Lakhimpur district in the wake of flood havoc in the last couple of weeks.
But the boat and ferry operators in the inland waterways ghats in the district have been flouting the rules and ban by carrying passengers and cargo across the rivers which are in spate.
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The boat owners, according to information, have been operating boats, overcrowded with passengers, in all the major ghats in Lakhimpur-Ghagar, Luhit-Khabolu, Badati-Dhunaguri and in Jamuguri-Banpuria ghats.
This act by boat operators is not only violation of the prohibitory orders issued due to the prevailing flood in Lakhimpur district but it also greatly undermines the safety and security of the people.
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According to the latest flood report released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Tuesday, a total of 134 villages under 7 revenue circles in Lakhimpur district have been affected by the second wave of flood.
The numbers of villages affected in different revenue circles across the district are: Nowboicha revenue circle – 5, North Lakhimpur – 44, Bihpuria – 31, Narayanpur – 30, Subansiri – 9, Kadam – 2 and Dhakuakhana revenue circle – 13.
A total of 13 relief camps have been set up for the flood affected people of the district. There are 177 flood affected people taking shelter in these relief camps.
While a total population of 62,113 have been affected, the total crop area affected is 3,642.82 hectares.