From the Archives (July 15, 1969): Six lakh people affected by floods

The flood situation in Upper Assam worsened to-day [July 14] following a major breach in the embankment of the Desang river. According to official information reaching here [Gauhati], about 4,000 people in four villages have lost their homes as a result of the breach. Road communication between Dibrugarh and the rest of the State remained suspended for the fourth day to-day. The entire Sibsagar sub-division is in the grip of floods and about 6,00,000 people have been affected, according to district authorities. Sali seedlings in about 8,000 bighas of land and other crops in an area of 10,000 bighas have been badly damaged. The swollen Desang has inundated parts of the Sibsagar town and nearby areas. The entire Wakati Mauja and a part of Thowra Mauja are under water. About a hundred granaries in Bakata have also been flooded. In all, about 200 villages in the sub-division have been inundated. Train communication between Simaluguri and Moran has been suspended following the submersion of the railway track.