GUWAHATI: Massive landslides that occurred due to the continuous heavy downpour for a few days in the Dima Hasao district of Assam continued to wreak havoc. An emergency meeting was conducted by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) regarding the disastrous condition at Dima Hasao.
The meeting has been conducted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah. The meeting focused on the critical condition of Dima Hasao, the Barak Valley and Hojai.
The Revenue and Disaster Management and Hills Area Development Minister of Assam, Jogen Mohan visited the affected area. In the presence of Jogen Mohan, a special effort was made to open a tunnel that was buried at National Highway 27.
Haflong which is one of the famous hill stations in Assam is now buried under the muddy water of Borail Hills. Landslides that occurred due to the heavy rainfall washed away the area badly. Around 25 thousand people in 94 villages have been badly affected by this natural calamity.
The railroad and other means of transportation have been disrupted after the heavy downpour that caused landslides at different places in Dima Hasao. The State Administration has not been able to connect the hill station even after the 48 hours since the disaster occurred on May 12.
According to reports, a few among the residents who tried to move to the safer places are still stuck at the disastrous site. The air force has been deployed to rescue the people.
The New Haflong Station has been destroyed after this natural calamity. All the three main roads that were connected to Haflong are now closed due to the massive landslides.
Moreover, 18 trains that were en route to Lumding – Agartala, Lumding- Silchar, Silchar – Guwahati and Silchar – New Delhi have been cancelled.
Regarding this, the Chief Executive Officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority Gyanendra dev Tripathi said, “We have had a talk with the National Highways Authority of India regarding this matter. We assure you that the National Highway will be repaired within 2 days.”
The hill station is now on the brink of a severe food shortage and fuel crisis. According to reports, the price of food hiked thrice its earlier price. Because of this fuel crisis, the District Administration has ordered not to sell petrol without permission of the Administration.
The District Administration has entrusted BSNL India to take care of the internet connection in the area. Moreover, the Administration has also said that they are taking care of the food shortage that occurred in the area.