Guwahati: Even as stagnant floodwaters continue to disrupt life across large parts of flood-ravaged upper Assam, a powerful storm unleashed fresh devastation in Numaligarh and Bokakhat in Golaghat district late Tuesday night, compounding the woes of one of the worst flood-hit regions.Fierce winds battered homes, uprooted trees, and toppled electricity poles, plunging vast areas into darkness and bringing normal life to a standstill. India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday forecast thunderstorms, lightning, heavy to very heavy rain, and gusty winds at isolated places in Guwahati and adjoining areas of Kamrup (Metro) district over the next 2-3 days.In Bokakhat constituency, strong winds ripped tin roofs off several concrete and kutcha houses, while falling trees damaged homes. Several people were injured, including one who was rushed to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. Severe thunderstorms also hit the neighbouring Numaligarh area.Houses and property suffered extensive damage in Marangial, Dusutimukh, and Rangagarha villages of Golaghat district.Trees uprooted by the storm blocked roads and disrupted connectivity in several villages. Locals said the storm raged from around 2 am to 4:30 am on Wednesday, causing extensive damage in Dusutimukh panchayat areas, particularly Marangial village, where several houses and granaries were destroyed. Power supply to hundreds of families was disrupted after trees and electric poles fell along the Dusutimukh–Rangagarha road.“Many people have been injured, and some are being taken to Jorhat for treatment. There is no power supply, and phone services are also down,” said Bokakhat-based activist Soneswar Narah. “It is difficult to imagine such a combination of flooding and a devastating storm,” he added.With floodwaters still inundating several parts of Bokakhat, the storm has deepened the hardships of residents already surrounded by water. Several people were left stranded, while some had to wade through floodwaters in darkness after trees crashed onto their homes.Bikash Payeng, a resident of Marangial village, appealed to govt for immediate assistance. “Several families in our village have lost or suffered damage to their vehicles, houses, and other belongings,” he said.Regional Meteorological Centre of IMD on Wednesday warned of thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places across the seven northeastern states. Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said thunderstorms and lightning, with light to moderate rain (up to 6 cm) and isolated heavy rain (7–11 cm) in 24 hours, are very likely over Guwahati and adjoining areas over the next 2-3 days.The weather may worsen waterlogging, slow traffic, and raise the risk of localised landslides, ASDMA cautioned in a media release. “The Kamrup Metro district authority and ASDMA are closely monitoring the situation, and emergency response systems are being kept on alert,” the release added.
