The Assam government is closely monitoring the flash flood situation in parts of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, as an increased river flow is likely to have impacts in the downstream, an official statement said on Wednesday. In view of the heavy rainfall in the upper catchments, a substantial rise in water levels and flow velocity is anticipated in the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries in the downstream areas of Assam. The flood wave is expected to affect Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Sonitpur before moving further downstream through other districts and eventually traversing Dhubri over the next one or two days, the statement said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and other officials to remain on maximum alert and ensure all necessary preparedness measures, it said. District administrations in potentially affected areas have been asked to maintain close vigilance and take timely preventive and response measures, the statement said. Teams of SDRF, NDRF and other emergency response agencies are ready for deployment, and field-level officers have been directed to closely monitor river conditions …