S O S

National Highway 31 is considered the lifeline of the entire North-East because it is the only road that links the region with the rest of the country.

While the overflowing Pagladiya and Baraliya, both tributaries of the Brahmaputra, have submerged around 500 villages in Kamrup and Nalbari, Central Water Commission officials have warned that the Manah, Beki and Aie rivers would cause further havoc in the Lower Assam region.

A dam on a reservoir in Bhutan reportedly burst yesterday evening, and the Bhutanese authorities have informed the CWC that the water would run down the Manas, Beki and Aie into Lower Assam. Since these three rivers are already flowing above the red mark, the flood situation is likely to worsen by Monday, CWC sources said.

Meanwhile, CM Gogoi today wrote to the PM, asking for airlifting at least 300 rubber boats fitted with motors to speed up relief and rescue operations. He asked the PM to direct the IAF to place at least seven MI choppers at the state government’s disposal, to rescue marooned people.

On Friday, 350 children of a school in Kamrup district had to be airlifted by an IAF chopper as flash floods submerged their school campus. The Assam government today estimated the damage caused by the floods at Rs 1,200 crore, and has appealed to the PM to rush funds and relief material to the state. Gogoi also asked the PM to direct the railways to immediately arrange additional rakes for dispatch of essential commodities to the state.

The Opposition accused the government of failing to take preventive action. ‘‘The government is more busy with downsizing and internal squabbles, while a large number of breaches have remained unrepaired for two years,’’ said AGP president Brindaban Goswami.