SitRep on the 2nd Wave of Flood Situation in Assam and
Garo Hills in Meghalaya
The present Situation:
Incessant rain in the last 48 hours following cloud bursts over the Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya has
resulted in devastating floods there, as well as in the district of Goalpara in Assam. Rivers like the
Dudhnoi, the Krishnai and Jingiram have breached their banks and since yesterday morning have been
inundating large areas. The flood waters are still on a rising trend and the situation is expected to turn
for the worse.
It is reported from Goalpara district that strong currents have washed away hundreds of homes and
destroyed properties. Over 500 people are currently presumed to be missing and many habitations
remain marooned. There is no information on the number of casualties or the injured. Mobile networks
have collapsed in the worst affected areas and very little information is being received.
People are moving into high ground, including the national highway, and are sheltering in schools and
other available spaces. Total population displaced or the number of camps to have come up is not
known as yet. No relief/aid has been provided as yet by the government/district administration and as
the district reels, no organized civil society response has been noticed. We are told electricity has been
cut off for reasons of safety and people were sheltering in absolute darkness last night. Search and
rescue operations have been hampered by the absence of boats and personnel. It has been reported
that the CRPF had to be evacuated and many of the police outposts are cut off too.
The National Highway 37 has been submerged at several places, cutting off Goalpara town from
Guwahati. At some places, the water level on the highway was more than three feet high and the
damage to the highway would be ascertained only after the water level comes down. The situation in
Kalapani and Thakurbari areas of Hatsingimari subdivision in Dhubri district is also said to be critical as
the strong current of water flowing down from the Garo Hills gave very little time to the administration
and the people to prepare for the calamity. Personnel of the NDRF, BSF and police have been pressed
into service for rescue works. But shortage of boats is turning out to be a major problem. However, on
the positive side, the water level is now receding, sources said. A complete picture of the damage is not
yet available. (The Assam Tribune, 23rd Sept.)
The scale of devastation in the Garo Hills districts is reported to be severe. The media reports state that
over 30 lives have been lost to floods and landslides. However as per reports received from The Assam
SitRep on the Flood Situation in Assam and Garo Hills
Page 1
Tribune states that more than half a million people from all walks of life in the Garo Hills have been
affected by the severe deluge that has threatened the whole region. While initial indications point to
more than 30 deaths throughout the region, the figure is likely to increase in the coming days as people
try and pick up the pieces of their lives. Six major bridges, connecting various areas were washed away
in what many feel is the worst. The worst hit district in the region is West Garo Hills where areas like
Dadenggre, Phulbari, Chibinang, Tikrikilla, Selsella, Bhaitbari, Rajabala, Damalgre, Garobadha are
completely inundated following heavy downpour since last night. In some areas, flood waters rose to
the shoulder level within just a few hours of consistent rains. In the Dadenggre area, one teacher was
reportedly washed away, while one person went missing. The bridge connecting the SDO Civil’s office to
Dadenggre was washed away in the floods and the portion remained completely cut off. Rescue
operations were impossible due to the currents. Some children, who were stuck in the roof of their
school hostel, however, managed to get across after the waters receded. In Chibinang also two persons
are said to be missing. In Tikrikilla, the waters reached above the head level in all the places surrounding
the town.
The rescue efforts were completely stalled as the Army personnel in Lakhipur were busy saving lives in
Goalpara district in Assam, and the NDRF was unable to get there till the filing of this report. Meanwhile,
distress calls came from various parts of the town. Meanwhile, the Haldibari Bridge was washed away in
the flood waters along with the whole market. Unconfirmed reports said there were more than five
casualties in the village. Most areas around Selsella remained submerged in waist deep water. The rising
waters in Rajabala, Bhaitbari areas have caused panic among the people. Incessant rains in the past
three days in the North Garo Hills have left the whole district under waist high flood waters. Crisis calls
were being handled in joint operations by the Army, the NDRF as well as the local police force. Many
houses in the district were washed away even as people remained stranded on the top of their houses
to save themselves.
In an unconfirmed report, seven people of two families are said to have been killed after a mudslide in
the village of Kharkhutta. Another five are said to be dead in the village of Dainadubi though the news
could not be confirmed as the region was cut off due to poor network. Rescue efforts are still on in
various parts of the district. More than 300 children are also said to be stranded in a school in
Bajengdoba. The rescue operations have been hit due to the poor connectivity in the area. South West
Garo Hills is the third worst hit district with seven confirmed deaths in Banduraja and Chipragaon. They
included five children and two women. The district has seen unprecedented increase in the flood water
levels. The BSF team came as a saviour to many families and provided a relief camp in Lukaichar where
400 villagers are now being sheltered. In East Garo Hills, there have been no reports of any casualty
although a good number of houses remained submerged. The Williamnagar-Nengkhra road was
completely inundated, while most parts of Williamnagar town were under flood waters following the
breach of the banks of the Simsang River. The under-construction Warima Bridge on the river was also
under water. In South Garo Hills district, places like Chokpot and Baghmara are among the worst hit as
SitRep on the Flood Situation in Assam and Garo Hills
Page 2
the Simsang River bulged disconcertingly. There were, however, no reported casualties. (The Assam
Tribune, 23rd Sept.)
Demographic Profile:
District Affected
Goalpara, Dhubri, Kamrup Metro,
Number of Deaths
1 in Goalpara (Govt. Sources)
Names of
Affected
the
Circles Lakhipur, Matia, Balikana, Ronguli, Dudhnoi,
Number of Villages Affected Lakhipur (21), Matia (20) Balijana (20), Rongjuli (09)
Dudhnoi (20), Total = 90 villages
Number
Affected
of
Population Lakhipur (21000), Matia (40500), Balijana (35000) Rongjuli
(8500), Dudhnoi (35000) Total = 1,40,000 People
Govt. Relief Provided
Chira (27 Qntls), Gur (5.50 Qntls)
Presence of Voluntary Organizations;
(i) Ajagar Social Circle
(ii) Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM)
Efforts of Voluntary Organizations:
Action Aid has provisioned:
(i) Deployment of motor boats which has been placed with GVM to support the rescue efforts, by
his evening.
(ii) Distribution of dry rations like beaten rice and molasses till a more organized humanitarian
response is organized.
SitRep on the Flood Situation in Assam and Garo Hills
Page 3
Immediate Needs:
1. Food items,
2. Drinking water
3. Shelter materials.
4. Boats and Ferry Services
Source of Information:
1. Action Aid
2. Ajagar Social Circle
3. The Assam Tribune
Contact Numbers of Key Individuals:
1. Mr. Hiren Kalita, Ajagar Social Circle: 9435725238,
2. Mr. Anjan Bordoloi: Action Aid, 9854946409,
SitRep on the Flood Situation in Assam and Garo Hills
Page 4