Assam ready for Cyclone Remal’s impact; NDRF teams prepositioned in Cachar, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 26, 2024

The Assam government has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens in light of the impending increase in rainfall and wind speeds due to Cyclone Remal, which will make landfall on May 26 in West Bengal and Bangladesh and move northwards towards the Northeast. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of extremely heavy rainfall over Assam along with other northeastern states on May 27 and 28. 

IMD has already issued red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Chirang, Goalpara, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts and an orange alert for Dhubri, South Salmara, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, Barpeta, Nalbari, Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai and West Karbi Anglong districts.

Squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph are likely over South Assam and Meghalaya on May 27.

According to the IMD bulletin at 5.30 pm on Sunday, the severe cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as Re-Mal) over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 16 kmph during the past 06 hours, slightly intensified further and lay centred at 5.30 pm IST of Sunday over the same region near latitude 21.1°N and longitude 89.2°E about 130 km east-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 140 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 140 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal) and 160 km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh). The minimum distance from the Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coastline is about 70 km.

“The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has ramped up preparations along with other departments, agencies, and district administrations to face any eventualities arising out of heavy rainfall and winds due to Remal,” an official statement here said.

“Nodal officers from ASDMA & revenue & disaster management department convened a series of meetings with all DDMAs on May 25 to review the state of preparedness of the DDMAs for the situation that might arise out of the cyclonic storm Remal,” the release stated. 

“NDRF teams are already prepositioned in Cachar, Bongaigaon, and Dibrugarh. The F&ES HQs have kept all SDRF teams and fire stations at the ready,” it said. 

ASDMA has directed all the DDMAs to review the situation and as per need plying of boats may be regulated in the mainstream of Brahmaputra on May 27 and 28, particularly in Dhubri, Goalpara, SSM, Bongaigaon and Barpeta districts and also Barak and Kusiara Rivers in Barak valley districts.

“The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has ensured the dilatation of major river channels like Bharalu, Bahini, Basistha, Mora Bharalu and Lakhimijan along with other major drains. Super Sucker machines and pumps with additional manpower have been mobilized as well,” the release also said. 

The GMC is also closely monitoring the areas that have faced waterlogging issues in the past like Hatigaon – Wireless – Sijubari area, Chandmari – GNB road, Rukminigaon etc. 

“Further anticipatory evacuation of vulnerable populations from landslide-prone areas in Guwahati (Kamrup(M)), Kamrup, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi,  Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts may also be considered,” it said.

The health department has alerted and necessary action regarding the availability of emergency medicines, health facilities staff, and necessary communication as per SOP and the Action Plan for Flood has been activated.

“The department of power has formed a central monitoring team at the circle level for monitoring and quick response teams under a sub-division with a team leader for each QRT. The forest department along with the officials of DDMAs had also served notices to the illegally encroached areas and instructed the inhabitants to shift to a safer zone,” it stated.

The panchayat and rural development department to engage community members for effective response and take the help of women SHGs as well. The APWD will be keeping a close eye on ongoing construction activities and areas susceptible to landslides, it said.

The irrigation department has issued instructions to keep the regulator gates open to ensure the free flow of high flood Water. 

In addition to this, the ASDMA also issued an advisory for the people in general asking them to avoid going to water logging areas.

The people are also asked to avoid staying in a vulnerable structure, provide proper drainage in the cropped field since heavy rainfall is expected, prop the vegetable pandals is recommended, take shelter during thunderstorm/lightning activities and in case of emergency, call 112/1070/1077. 

Farmers are also asked to avoid going to agricultural fields or open grounds during the period of alert, and fishermen are not to venture out into the water bodies/rivers. They should keep boats and rafts tied up in a safe place and advised to avoid taking shelters near old and damaged buildings or near trees.