GUWAHATI:
Heavy rainfall in Dima Hasao since June 13 has made it difficult for the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to restore the road and rail links.
Road and rail connectivity has been damaged since May 11, and the NHAI and NFR are jointly working to restore as much connectivity as possible at the earliest possible time, however the incessant rainfall has made the task difficult for them.
Rainfall-induced landslides during the last couple of days not only damaged houses and roads in Haflong and other parts of the district, but traffic movement between Mahur-Jatinga linking Lumding were also disrupted for several hours before being restored temporarily, while restoration work for Jatinga-Silchar road connectivity is going on till the filling of this report.
As per reports, one person was also injured due to lightning strike in Bethel village near lower Haflong.
New Haflong Railway Station was once again seen completely submerged in rainwater for which construction and restoration works were hampered. The station was washed away along with the stranded train less than a month ago.
Meanwhile, the Dima Hasao District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued an advisory warning the public to restrict movement other than for emergency or medical purposes.
The DDMA also urged people residing in and around vulnerable locations to shift to the nearest safe location or the nearest relief camps for immediate shelter if necessary.
For any emergency, the public can contact the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) at 03673236324 (Toll-free) and 09435530412.
Besides, all schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Dima Hasao have been closed from June 15 to 18.
Dima Hasao deputy commissioner and DDMA chairperson Nazreen Ahamed has also asked all Gaon Buras, OCs/ICs of all PS/OPs of Dima Hasao to share information on damages caused due to the natural calamity so that necessary action can be taken.
Last month, the Assam government announced a relief package of Rs 50 crore for the people affected by flood and landslides in the flood-ravaged hill district. The relief package will also include funds for restoring the works of numerous infrastructures that were damaged by the floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, NFR general manager, Ansul Gupta, has informed that restoration works in 46 out of 61 breaches have been completed and in 15 critical locations work is going on in full swing.
Gupta stated that chances are there to resume train services upto New Haflong from Badarpur by June 20.
He said the recently sanctioned final location survey for the Chandranathpur-Silchar new line project will provide an alternative route to the hill section and also act as a double line for connectivity to South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura.