Flood submerges 60% of Kaziranga National Park, vehicle movement restricted

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 1, 2024

More than 30 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) have been inundated by flood water of the Brahmaputra.

A hog deer was injured when it was coming out of deep forest to a safer location at Haldibari on Monday.

The water level in the park may go up further as a portion of the Bonkuwal-Negheriting dyke was breached on Monday morning.

Of 223 forest camps, 26 are inundated due to floods, KNPTR director Sonali Ghosh said.

The flood waters submerged 22 forest camps in the Agoratoli range, 10 in the Kaziranga range, 8 in the Bagori range, 5 in the Burapahar range, 6 in Bokakhat range, 10 in Biswanath Wildlife Division.

The wooden bridge situated near Moshguli Camp in Agoratoli Range was washed away by floodwaters. Herds of elephants have begun moving towards Karbi Anglong through Hati Dandi corridor. 

The movement of commercial vehicles has been restricted through National Highway 37 (now 715), which passes through the KNP. The citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and adhere to the traffic regulations to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife during this critical period.

Golaghat superintendent of police has issued a traffic advisory for vehicles crossing the national highway that passes through the national park.

No commercial vehicle has been allowed to move through the park, only private vehicles have been allowed to move at the regulated speed during the daytime.

Only local private vehicles will be allowed to cross the park during night hours. Commercial vehicles have been diverted at Numaligarh Tiniali, Bagori border and Bokakhat Town.

Commercial trucks going only till Bokakhat Town will be allowed to move from Numaligarh Tiniali.

“Kaziranga National Park is well-prepared for the upcoming flood season with comprehensive measures in place to ensure the safety of wildlife, staff and visitors. Continuous monitoring and timely interventions will be prioritized to mitigate the impact of flooding,” Ghosh said.

“A slew of measures have been taken for safety of departmental elephants. Collection of biological samples and body morphometric recording of captive elephants completed. Elephants have been moved to safe areas to protect them from potential floodwaters,” Ghosh also said.

She said boats, boatlines, barricades, raincoats, rescue materials, and medicines have been procured and are already deployed. Country boats, speedboats and mechanized boats have been strategically deployed in key areas for swift response.

“Barricades have been placed on highways to control traffic and to ensure the safe passage of wildlife. Joint patrolling by commando action groups and forest teams is being conducted regularly. Additional staffs from neighbouring divisions have been deployed to intensify patrolling,” Ghosh further said.

“Joint patrolling in the fringe areas of the park is being carried out by forest and police departments,” she said.

She said a dedicated floodwater gauge station has been set up with support from the Central Water Commission (CWC). Activation of a flood monitoring cell to provide real-time updates and coordinate rescue operations.