Four days on, heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have thrown normal life out of gear in Assam’s Dibrugarh. The situation is such that it is water all around as if they are living in the middle of an ocean.
Even the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation office is under knee-deep water.
In response to severe rainfall and widespread water-logging, all Government, Provincialized, TG (Tribal Guarantee), Private, and Central schools affiliated with CBSE or SEBA in Dibrugarh district will remain closed until further notice.
Inspector of Schools Samiron Bora issued a notification confirming the closure of all educational institutions to ensure the safety of students and staff amidst adverse weather conditions.
Well, the deluge is not only confined to the municipal office. Numerous government and private offices throughout Dibrugarh have been similarly impacted.
The floodwaters have entered schools, social institutions, government offices. Main roads remained submerged.
Adding to the peoples’ woes is the poorly designed and unscientific construction of the city’s drainage systems. Residents attribute the artificial flooding to inadequate drainage which has turned streets into waterways.
Aggrieved residents of the Dibrugarh city spoke to media and shared about their ordeal.
One of them said, “It is shameful that the condition of the Dibrugarh town is such. The authorities must urgently look into the matter.”
Another person said, “The Municipal authorities should have cleared the drains before the rainfall, but they did not so. Due to this people are facing severe difficulties. I want to say that the municipal authorities must clear the drainage system every year before the arrival of the monsoon.”
A trader said, “the situation remains the same every year. We have to wade through waters with severe risk. No one comes to see the situation so that necessary steps can be taken.”
Dibrugarh Mayor Saikat Patra speaking to media said, “There was artificial floods before too, but this time it is more. The rainfall is quite heavy this year. Three to four days ago it was raining heavily non-stop for at least 3-4 hours continuously. 5 pumps are being operated to pump out the excess water from the town. We are trying to minimize the flooding, our full team is on the job round the block. Efforts are being made to clear blockages in the drainage system. The second main drain in Dibrugarh was constructed in the 1950s, the number of residents in the town at that time was also less. The carrying capacity of the drain gradually decreased. The carrying capacity of the main drain too has decreased. Moreover, the rising water level of the Brahmaputra is also another aspect. Rainfall has stopped since yesterday, but the water level is increasing. May be water from the Brahmaputra is entering the town through some point. As of now we cannot say anything on this, but our people on the job. As far as possible we are trying to alleviate the sufferings of the people.”
Dibrugarh was recently accorded the status of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation, second in Assam after Guwahati.
