GUWAHATI: A student lost his life and around 12 others sustained injuries in two separate incidents following the landfall of Cyclone Remal in Assam.
The deceased student, identified as Kausik Bordoloi Amphi (17), tragically lost his life in Morigaon after a tree fell on an auto he was travelling in, while in Dekhiajuli, 12 students were injured due to falling trees amidst the cyclonic conditions.
This was informed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through a couple of posts on his social media handle on Tuesday, urging citizens to stay indoors and assuring them that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
Sarma further added that incessant rainfall and strong winds have triggered landslides along Kapircherrra (NH-27, connecting Haflong to Silchar) and ThereBasati (Umrangso-Dehangi Road).
Additionally, a BSNL tower in Haflong has suffered severe damage, prompting ongoing evacuation efforts. “We are actively monitoring the situation,” he added.
Although trees were uprooted in places like Cotton University and Jyoti Chitraban in Guwahati, fortunately, there were no reports of casualties or damages to infrastructure, the Chief Minister further informed.
The severe cyclonic storm, which made landfall on Monday in West Bengal and Bangladesh, unleashed its fury across Assam, causing widespread destruction and disruptions.
The adverse weather conditions have also led to disruptions in power supply, particularly in lower Assam, including Guwahati.
Assam remains on high alert as incessant rain and gusty winds continue to batter the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts of Assam, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures.
In response to the weather warnings, many schools in Guwahati have suspended classes to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Meanwhile, the Northeast Frontier Railway has announced the cancellation of over 40 trains for two days starting from Monday, prioritising passenger safety amidst the cyclonic conditions.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has echoed the warnings from the IMD, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Remal.
