Three killed in landslide in Guwahati as rain lashes parts of Assam
Guwahati (PTI): At least three persons have been killed in a landslide in Assam's Guwahati as heavy rain lashed western and southern parts of the state, officials said on Saturday.
Floods have been reported from many parts of the state, including Lakhimpur.
The three persons were killed in the landslide in Bonda area on the outskirts of the city on Friday evening, Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Hazarika said.
"Incessant rain had caused the landslide and three persons, all women, were killed," he said.
Baruah, speaking to reporters after inspecting the severe waterlogging in the city late on Friday, said several agencies were working to provide relief and rescue to affected people.
Large parts of the Lakhimpur district have been inundated as water reached the downstream areas following heavy rains in bordering Arunachal Pradesh.
Multiple agencies have been deployed in the affected areas to rescue stranded people, with many taking refuge in tents.
As per the Regional Meteorological Department data on Friday, Chirang, Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Bajali, Tamulpur, Darrang and Udalguri are on 'red alert' for Saturday.
A 'red alert' was sounded for as many as 18 districts on Friday, with the state facing an 'abnormal situation' due to incessant downpours caused by massive cloud cover over several parts of the northeast, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Friday.
Heavy rainfall has also been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, aggravating the situation in Assam, especially Guwahati, which has been hit by massive waterlogging, he said.
Special casual leave has been announced for government employees of Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan districts on Saturday, who have to commute some distance to reach their offices.
Educational institutions have also been closed in the two districts on Saturday.
Flight services at Guwahati airport were affected on Friday due to heavy rains and gusty winds, the officials had said.
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MYAS launches quiz on national flag, 25 top-scorers to get trip to Siachen with Mandaviya
New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has launched an online quiz on the national flag and 25 top-scoring participants in the age bracket of 21 to 29 will get an opportunity to visit Siachen with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The quiz, according to the ministry, will "foster patriotism and enhance awareness about the Indian National Flag."
"This online quiz, hosted on the MYBharat portal (mybharat.gov.in), invites all citizen to participate and test their knowledge about the Tricolour," the ministry stated.
It will consist of multiple-choice questions and all contestants will be awarded an e-certificate.
"As a grand incentive, 25 top-scoring participants will be selected for a remarkable opportunity to visit Siachen in the company of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya," the ministry said.
"The selection of winners for the Siachen visit will be limited to youth between the ages of 21 and 29. The final selection of the 25 winners will be conducted through a computer-based lottery system from the pool of top scorers," it added.
