Golaghat reels under severe flooding, 24,588 affected

Dibrugarh:

Torrential rains in neighbouring Nagaland and controlled water release from Neepco’s Doyang Hydro Electric Project have triggered severe flooding across Golaghat district, leaving 24,588 people affected and claiming two lives.

The swollen Dhansiri and Doyang rivers, along with their tributaries, have inundated vast areas, forcing thousands to seek shelter in relief camps.The flood crisis has engulfed five revenue circles within the district — Golaghat, Khumtai, Morongi, Sarupathar, and Bokakhat — with 122 villages bearing the brunt of the natural disaster. District authorities have set up 42 relief camps to accommodate displaced residents.“All affected people have been provided with necessary assistance, shelter, and facilities on time. Unfortunately, two lives were lost in the flood. The families of the deceased have been provided with a one-time assistance of Rs 4 lakh from the state Government,” Golaghat DC Pulak Mahanta on Thursday said.Amid the crisis, emergency teams have successfully evacuated 1,233 people and 550 livestock from flood-affected areas.

However, the agricultural sector has suffered significant damage, with approximately 2,923 hectares of farmland submerged or destroyed, threatening the livelihoods of countless farming families.The DC said relief and rescue operations are in full swing, spearheaded by coordinated teams from the State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force. These teams are conducting systematic operations to reach isolated communities.

Officials from the district administration and the District Disaster Management Authority are continuously assessing the situation on the ground. Essential supplies, including food items, warm meals, child food, and fodder for animals, are being distributed at the relief camps to address immediate needs.“We have set up two helpline numbers — 03774-280222 and 03674-281528 — so that citizens in need of assistance or facing emergencies can contact the district control room.

These communication channels will ensure that emergency services can respond promptly to evolving situations across the affected zones,” the DC said.The continuous rainfall pattern in Nagaland, combined with strategic water releases from the hydroelectric project, has created unprecedented water levels in the regional river system. This convergence of factors has overwhelmed natural drainage capacity, leading to widespread inundation across low-lying areas. With meteorological conditions remaining unpredictable, district officials are maintaining heightened alert status and preparing for potential escalation of the crisis in the coming days.