A 17-year-old boy lost his life and several others sustained injuries as torrential rains and fierce winds, the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, battered Assam on Tuesday, officials reported.
The deceased, identified as college student Kausik Bordoloi Amphi, met with a tragic end when a tree toppled onto the auto-rickshaw he was travelling in at Dighalbori in Morigaon district.
The vehicle was carrying four other passengers, all of whom were injured in the incident.
In another mishap, a tree collapsed on a school bus in Sonitpur district’s Dhekiajuli, injuring twelve children. The injured were promptly admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has cautioned that the adverse weather is likely to persist.
“I have instructed officials to remain vigilant and ready to respond to emergencies promptly. I urge citizens to avoid venturing out unless absolutely necessary. We are continuously monitoring the situation,” he conveyed via a post on X.
The cyclone's powerful winds uprooted trees in various parts of the state, including the capital city of Guwahati.
The heavy rainfall and strong gusts also led to widespread power outages in lower Assam, where fallen electric poles and water-logged streets were reported.
The affected districts include Kamrup (Metro), Dhubri, Goalpara, Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Dima Hasao.
Travel disruptions were notable, particularly between Dima Hasao and Cachar, where traffic restrictions were enforced along the Jatinga-Harangajao stretch.
Heavy vehicles headed to Barak Valley were rerouted through Meghalaya.
In response to the severe weather, schools and educational institutions in Morigaon, Nagaon, and Dima Hasao were closed until further notice.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for extremely heavy rainfall across the state due to the cyclone’s impact.
Consequently, ferry services were suspended in Guwahati, Jorhat, Tezpur, Morigaon, Dhubri, Goalpara, South Salmara, Barpeta, Cachar, and Karimganj districts.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority has advised residents to avoid staying in vulnerable structures, steer clear of water-logged areas, stock up on essential supplies, and contact authorities in emergencies.
Both the NDRF and SDRF are on high alert to manage the developing crisis, officials confirmed.
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