Bhutan releases excess reservoir water, lower Assam on high alert

Guwahati: A high alert was issued in lower Assam, especially in Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Baksa and parts of Kamrup district, after a hydro-electric power company in Bhutan, Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) Limited, announced the release of excess water to the neighbouring country on Thursday.

In a notice released by DGPC, the company said that it would be releasing over 1,200 cubic metres of excess water per second from its reservoirs in Kuri Chhu dam located in eastern Bhutan.

As per the DGPC statement, 7 metres of the water reservoir gates were opened at 3 am and 10 metres were opened at 5 am on Thursday. It further stated that 0.75 metres of gate number 2 in the water reservoir will be opened at 3 pm today.

Immediately after declaration of the water release from Bhutan government, administration in all possible fresh flood prone districts of lower Assam have sounded high alert through social media platforms, mobile message and loud speaker announcements across the district.

Also Read: WATCH: Assam MLA gets his hands dirty to drain out flood water

Following the high alert, people residing in the low-lying areas of the district moved to higher lands along with their household belongings and domestic animals early on Thursday morning.

Speaking to EastMojo, Kokrajhar West MLA Rabiram Narzary informed that all efforts are being undertaken by the authorities to ensure safety of people and animals in the district.

“We have initiated social media campaigns and also sent mobile message alerts to all the people immediately after the Bhutan government’s notice about releasing of water from reservoirs,” he said.

Narzary further said that the National Disaster Response Forces (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been pressed into service to tackle any possible eventualities after releasing of water from the dam.

Notably, the release of excess waters from the hydro power dams in Bhutan had wreaked havoc in Assam in the past, inundating hundreds of villages.

Although the flood situation in Assam has slightly improved in the past days, 20 of the 33 districts are still under flood waters affecting over 34.82 lakh people in 2,933 villages.

Meanwhile, hundreds of villages in Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Baksa and parts of Kamrup districts are reeling under flood waters that hit Assam a couple of weeks ago. Over 5 lakh people are still suffering in Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts of Assam till date.