Gamlin joins as Delhi chief secy

A heavy to heaviest rain and thunder is likely to lash Assam during the next 48 hours forcing the government to be prepared for itFive districts are on alert in view of the impending downpour. According to Indian Meteorological Department, 488 MM rainfall in Sonitpurs, Lakhimpur, Golaghat and Barpeta districts by the next 48 hours. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who is back in Guwahati has instructed the water resources department to be well prepared to deal with the crisis. He directed the district administrations to evacuate the people from the river banks.

Asom Gana Parishad is holding a crucial meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing crippling crisis.President Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is presiding the meeting at the party headquarters where the district bodies are appraising the leadership of the prevailing situation. Despite instructions, all district committees are not attending the meeting. Some of the top leaders are conspicuous by their absence.

An antelope was killed and another injured while trying move to a highland as flood scene turns grim in the Kaziranga National Park.The two animals were hit by a speeding vehicle last night when they were crossing NH 37 along the Park to move to the highlands in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district through the Mirimihi animal corridor. The injured antelope was sent to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation. Vast areas the national park have also been affected. Vehicular movement has been restricted from Sunday morning on NH 37, which passes through the park and which animals use to cross into the southern side on their way from the low lying areas of the park.

Professor Gautam Biswas is tipped to become the next director of IIT Guwahati.The director of Central Mechanical Engineering and Research Institute in Durgapur is all set to replace Gautam Barua, whose tenure as the director ended. Barua served in the top position for 10 years.A search-cum-selection panel headed by human resource development minister M.M. Pallam Raju has selected Biswas for the job.President Pranab Mukherjee, who is the visitor of the institute, will have to clear the appointment after which Biswas will get a five-year term as the director, sources said.