5 killed in landslides as heavy rains batter Assam, multiple agencies deployed in relief work

The wet weather conditions will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, with speed reaching 30-40 kmph, continuing over the next 3-4 days, the forecast stated.

To help the people track the weather changes more efficiently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched a WhatsApp channel, IMD Shillong-Meghalaya.

‘Red alert’ in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that a ‘red alert’ was sounded in 18 districts on Friday, with the state facing an ‘abnormal situation’ due to incessant downpours caused by massive cloud cover over several parts of the northeast, a PTI report said.

Heavy rainfall has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, aggravating the situation in Assam, especially in Guwahati, which has been hit by massive waterlogging, CM Sarma stated.

Assam’s Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, Darrang and Udalguri are on ‘red alert’ for Saturday.

Among the five deaths, three were women in Bonda area on the outskirts of Guwahati, Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah told PTI. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said all five deaths have been reported from the Kamrup Metropolitan district.

According to PTI, the ASDMA bulletin said floods in urban areas have been reported in five revenue circles of three districts – Kamrup Metropolitan, Kamrup and Cachar. About 10,150 people have been affected, with two camps and one relief distribution centre being opened. Floods in urban areas have also been reported in eight revenue circles of three districts, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Golaghat, the bulletin stated. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were evacuating people in different affected parts, the bulletin added.

Special casual leave has been announced for government employees of Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan districts on Saturday, who have to commute some distance to reach their offices. Educational institutions have too been closed in the two districts on Saturday.

Weather in Tripura

As per the latest IMD forecast, Agartala and Jirania in West Tripura region received 20.8 mm and 18.5 mm rainfall, respectively, as of 5:30 pm on Saturday. In the South Tripura region, Bagafa and Sabroom received cumulative rainfall of 26.5 and 22 mm, respectively.

Ashapara and Kadamtala in North Tripura region received 29 mm and 16.5 mm rainfall, respectively. Meanwhile, Kailashahar in Unakoti and Gandachhera in Dhalai district received 32.2 mm and 33 mm rain spell, respectively.

Weather in Manipur

Imphal West and Imphal East, along with Noney regions in Manipur also received rainfall, ranging from 17 mm to 24 mm on Saturday.

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