Six die of electrocution and landslide after rains in Guwahati

Six people died of electrocution and in landslides after torrential rains last night submerged large areas of Assam's capital city, paralysing normal life. Among the victims, a government employee, Dinesh Das, was electrocuted in the inundated MLA Hostel in the Capital Complex in Dispur area, police sources said on friday.

A second person, Prafulla Das, an official of the Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Affairs department was electrocuted when he attempted to switch off the inverter in his residence in water-logged Nabin Nagar area. A third person, Suren Bharali, was also electrocuted in the Down Town Hospital area on G S Road, the sources said.

The other casualties were three members of a family, including two women, who were killed in a landslide which hit their tin-roofed house in Bhangagarh area, the sources said.

Landslides were also reported from Nabagraha, Koinadhara and Uzan Bazar areas after torrential rains last night inundated the capital complex, the residences of MLAs, Zoo Road, G S Road, Rajgarh, Anil Nagar and Tarun Nagar under knee deep water.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Prakash Tiwari, told reporters that rescue operations were being carried out in the landslide hit areas.

Ex-gratia grant of Rs three lakh would be paid to the next of kin of the six who died due to electrocution and landslides, the CMO said.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi faced protests in Rajgarh during inspection of water-logged areas. Gogoi told reporters "It has to be acknowledged that the measures, including drainage, taken so far have not achieved the desired success in solving the water logging problem. More steps have to be taken." He directed Chief secretary Jitesh Khosla and senior officials to visit affected areas to take stock of the situation.

Gogoi also directed the Kamrup (Metro) district administration to evacuate the marooned and set up relief camps for them.

The National Disaster Response Force deployed 20 boats to rescue the marooned people, NDRF sources said. Pumps were installed to drain out the water from affected areas. Rafts were devised to transport students appearing for examinations while bottled drinking water was being supplied by the district administration in the affected area, according to officials.

The district administration has set up a helpline 0361-2733053 and toll free number 1077 for water-logging, landslide or any other natural calamity.