In Jammu and Kashmir flash flood triggered by heavy rains has washed away three-tier border fencing in a 200-metre stretch along the India-Pakistan border in Samba district, causing damage to a few border out-posts.
A BSF official said in Jammu that water level in Basantar River increased rapidly at Kamore border belt in Samba district due to incessant rains, resulting in sudden overflow of water.
It damaged the recently re-constructed anti-flood embankment at Kamore. Nearly 190 kms of international border,from Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu to Pathankot is fenced to stop cross-border infiltration and smuggling of narcotics and weapons into the state. The official said, troops guarding the border are keeping a close watch on the situation in view of the threat of infiltration from across the border.
In Uttar Pradesh, breaking all records, the water level in the Rapti River has touched 105.47 metres, which is 0.85 metres above the danger mark. The Centre has issued an unprecedented flood situation warning for the state. The highest level of water recorded previously in the Rapti was in Balrampur district on September 11, 2000, when the river had risen to a height of 105.25m, the Ministry of Water Resources said in a statement. River Ghaghra at Elgin Bridge in Barababki district, continues to flow in high flood situation.
Over six lakh people spread over one thousand villages in nine districts have been affected in the state. Addressing the media in Lucknow, state Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said that Bahraich is worst hit where fourteen people have so far been killed due to floods. The government has deputed senior officials of food and civil supplies, health, animal husbandry and electricity departments to extend all help in the flood affected areas. Two helicopters of Army are dropping food packets in the marooned villages of Bahraich. Fifty flood relief camps are working where medical teams have been deputed to attend to the rescued flood victims. Power supply has been snapped in hundreds of villages to avoid electrocution in the marooned areas.
In Bihar, nearly four lakh people are affected by floods in several districts including Saharsa, Darbhanga, West Champaran and Nalanda districts. State Chief Secretary along with top officials made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas yesterday. Four teams of National Disaster Response Force are being rushed to Bihar from Kolkata to assist the already eights teams working in the state.
In Himachal Pradesh, the heavy rain and cloudburst during past few days had caused havoc in Dharampur area of the Sarkaghat sub-division in Mandi district. About 300 cattle heads are reported to have been buried alive in the cowsheds collapse. Nearly 250 houses have been also damaged in 20 villages in Dharampur area of Mandi District. Hundreds of villagers moved to safer places abandoning their homes. Large areas have been plunged into darkness due to power failure for the last five days.
In Assam, 41 revenue circles of 13 districts affected in current surge of water though situation in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts have slightly improved. Official sources said 3 lakh 64 thousand population at 849 villages’ are reeling under the fury of floods. 38 thousand affected people have taken shelter at 27 government run relief camps. Several rivers including the Brahmaputra are flowing above the danger mark. The army has been deployed for rescue work in the Nagaon district.
Central government is constantly monitoring the flood situation in various states. A senior official in the Home Ministry said, necessary assistance is being extended to the states that are carrying out rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas.
