Indian Army launches ‘Operation Jal Rahat’ to support Assam govt in flood rescue operations

Indian Army launches ‘Operation Jal Rahat’ to support Assam govt in flood rescue operations

In Assam, the Indian Army has launched ‘Operation Jal Rahat’ to support the government in large-scale rescue and relief operations as worsening floods continue to inundate several parts of eastern Assam.

 

The flood situation has worsened as incessant rain continues across the state, affecting thousands of people in several districts of Upper Assam. Several rivers in Upper Assam are reported to be flowing above the danger level. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue operations in the worst flood-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.

 

State Minister Bimal Borah today reviewed the flood situation in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. He held discussions with the Deputy Commissioners of the two districts to assess the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

 

In a social media post, the Minister said that rescue operations are in full swing in the affected areas. In Sivasagar district alone, 510 people have been rescued so far by teams of the SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services. Additional rescue boats have been deployed, while Army helicopters have been pressed into service to evacuate people stranded in inaccessible flood-hit locations.

 

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, floods had affected eight districts – Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Udalguri and Jorhat till yesterday evening. A total of 22 revenue circles and 298 villages remained affected, impacting more than 57 thousand people. Over 3,874 hectares of crop land have been inundated.