Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged drivers and bikers to abide by traffic laws so that they can keep themselves and their loved ones safe while ringing in the new year.
In a video message, Assam CM said, “The state has witnessed a sudden dip in mercury level and also a blanket of fog has disrupted the visibility leading to accidents.”
The CM further asked everyone behind the wheel to use extreme caution while driving in order to prevent any unfortunate events.
“With the welcoming of the new year, people are now gearing up for picnic parties, however, one must make sure nobody travels in vehicles with more than its capacity.”
The CM further asked picnickers to refrain from undue noise, which could impair a driver’s ability to focus while operating a vehicle, and he noted that no drivers should be intoxicated while operating a vehicle, which is also illegal.
The state administration has warned against drinking and driving on the eve of December 31, 2022, and has threatened to take strong action against anyone found breaking the law.
It should be noted that three trucks collided with one another on December 16 in the Bilasipara of the Dhubri district, killing one truck driver and injuring a number of others.
Three trucks with the registration numbers AS 17B 9954, WB 57C 8685, and AS 01 NC 2230 were involved in an accident on National Highway 17 in the Chirakuta area of Bilasipara. Two of the vehicles were travelling from Guwahati to Dhubri and the third was travelling from Dhubri to Guwahati.
Locals immediately rushed the injured to a hospital.
Hundreds of vehicles were left stranded on National Highway 17 after the incident.
The winter season has already arrived in Moran of Dibrugarh district, as temperatures dropped even lower following a late-evening hailstorm that whitewashed Upper Assam’s lush landscape.
On December 26, a hailstorm slammed sections of the Dibrugarh area, and since then, new photos of the white-covered highways have gone viral on social media.
Many acres of arable land were covered in a white carpet as ice built up on the bus highway, causing traffic disruptions. Traffic was slowed down by the thick layer of ice on the road, and many people went to the streets to see the snowy scenery.
The Indian Meteorological Department predicted further rain for the northeastern states as the temperature fell even lower.