Over 300,00 stranded as Assam flood situation turns grim

GUWAHATI/MAJULI (ASSAM), July 4 (Agencies): Incessant rains in Assam's catchment areas have left over 300,000 people stranded.

Reports said that most of the state's rivers are in spate and flowing above the danger level.

Official sources described the flood situation in the state as very grim on Friday.

The Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger level at several places, including Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Guwahati.

Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Jorhat have been described as the worst-hit districts.

Vast tracts of land have been submerged by breaches in river embankments.

In Majuli, the world's largest inhabited river island, a breach in the embankment, has left over 100,000 people stranded in Jengraimukh, Nayabazar, Fuloni, Halodiati and Kherakotaunkh areas.

Personnel of the National Disaster Rescue Force have arrived in the area to rescue the affected people.

The situation in lower Assam districts of Baksa, Barpeta and Udalguri is also grim following release of water from the Kurishu dam in Bhutan.

In Dhemaji, the Semen river has inundated vast tracts in Jonai sub-division while the River Gai and Jiadhol are also in spate.

Defence forces all set to participate in National Day Parade of France NEW DELHI, July 4 (Agencies): A 400-strong contingent of the three wings of Indian defence forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) performed a full-dress rehearsal here today ahead of their visit to France to participate in a parade making National Day celebrations in France on July 14.

This is the for the first time that all the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force will be participating in the National Day celebrations of another country.

Among the 400 personnel, 300 would be part of the marching contingent, while the rest are from the respective bands.

A prominent feature of the band contingent will be the drummers and bagpipers who would be playing Indian martial music.

The members of this contingent have been practicing for the past fortnight at the India Gate.

"We have stood first in the Army Day parade, the reason we have been selected for the French national day parade.

And as far this specific practice for French National Day celebration is concerned we have been practicing from past one month and from last 15 days we have been practicing at India Gate," said Captain Vinay Khanduri of 22 Maratha Light Infantry.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has invited Prime Minister Dr.

Manmohan Singh to be the chief guest at the French National Day celebrations.