July 7, 2024 10:04 PM.
In Assam, eight more people lost their lives during the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of flood-related deaths in the state to 66. The flood situation in the state has improved slightly, but nearly 22 lakh people are still reeling under the deluge across 28 districts.
Over 3400 villages in 97 revenue circles remained inundated, and over 68,000 hectares of crop areas have been damaged across the state. NDRF and SDRF teams have rescued 218 people in the last 24 hours. The rivers Brahmaputra,
Barak, and all their tributaries are flowing above the danger level. 172 roads and six bridges, apart from other infrastructure, have been damaged during the last 24 hours. Over 15 lakh animals are also affected. 53 thousand people are taking shelter in 269 relief camps, while the state government has opened 361 relief distribution centres
The deaths occurred in Cachar (1), Dhubri (2), Goalpara (1), Nalbari (2), Dhemaji (1) and Sivasagar (1) districts.
According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 28 of the state’s 35 districts are still in the grip of the floods which affected 22,74,289 people in 3,446 villages.
Cropland was affected in areas of over 68,432.75 hectares. The floods damaged roads, bridges and river embankments in several districts.
The authorities has set up 269 relief camps where 53,689 of the affected people are taking shelter.
The ASDMA said 10 rivers – Brahmaputra, Burhidihing, Dikhou, Disang, Dhansiri, Kopili, Beki, Sankosh, Barak and Kushiyara – were in a spate, flowing above the danger level.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh and Jorhat districts. Various other agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force and the police, are helping the NDRF.
The deluge inundated vast swathes of the Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve. Sixty-eight of the 233 camps inside the park are still inundated. Forest personnel are staying there for patrolling and other activities.
Till Sunday, 129 animals, including six rhinos and 98 hog deer, have died. The authorities managed to rescue 96 other animals.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation. There is a possibility of animals straying out at such time,” a senior park official said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Palashbari in Kamrup district on Sunday and took stock of the situation. He also visited some relief camps and interacted with the inmates.
Sarma told the inmates that the government would take steps to repair or rebuild their houses which were either damaged or washed away by floodwaters. He said the government was working in earnest to find a long-term solution to the perennial problem of flood in the state.