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Rescue work slows down in Assam
G Vinayak in Guwahati |
April 24, 2003 14:22 IST
A total lack of communication has hampered rescue and relief operations in the storm-hit Kalapani area of Assam's Dhubri district, state government officials said on Thursday.
At least 34 people are feared dead and 32 missing. Around 1,500 people are estimated to be injured.
Temporary camps have been opened for nearly 5,000 people who have been rendered homeless due to the storm, which struck on Tuesday.
"People were tossed away in the strong wind," a witness told officials.
The injured have horror stories to tell. "Cattle were tossed into the sky and their bodies are stuck in some trees," Azizuddin, 45, told officials in Dhubri.
Some even said human bodies are stuck in the mangled remains of transmission lines and towers.
The administration fears that the death toll will go up in the next 24 hours as rescuers begin to find more bodies. Already three bodies have been found atop trees.
Although the district magistrate and some doctors are camping in the area, the administration is facing a problem in providing food and medicines to the people, since all bridges leading to Kalapani have been blown away, Dhubri's Additional District Magistrate, Azad Ali Sheikh, said. "All telephone lines have been twisted and broken. The only means of communication is the police wireless. Even that is working on and off," Sheikh said.
Assam has witnessed stormy weather for the past week. On Tuesday, strong winds accompanied by a hailstorm lashed most parts of Assam. Northern Assam's Sonitpur district witnessed the severest storm, state government officials said.
In Dhubri, the administration is facing a shortage of food, doctors and vehicles to transport the injured to health centres.
Senior officials and ministers have left Guwahati for the scene of devastation.
Governor Arvind Dave and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi are likely to visit the area on Friday, Dhubri district officials said.
Assam Red Cross chief Renuka Devi Borkakoty and a team of doctors have also left for Kalapani. So far the state government has not asked for any help from the Centre.