Death toll in Assam floods reaches 35, Modi calls CM to take stock of situation

With the death of another person died in Dhubri on Friday the total number of deaths in the current wave of flood rose to 35. Although flood water has receded in several locations, the situation continues to remain grim in most of the affected districts, including the Kaziranga National Park.

Moreover, Brahmaputra River continues to flow above the danger level at various places, including Naematighat (Jorhat), Dhubri, Jia Bharali at NT Road Crossing (Sonapur), Kopili at Dharamtul (Nagaon) and Beki at Road Bridge (Barpeta).

As per the latest update on the flood scenario, as many as 20 districts in the State are reeling under water affecting over 13 lakh people. The districts include Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Chirang, Darrang, Nalbari Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

Further, 67628.06 hectares of crop land has been affected in the latest wave of flood. The Assam Disaster Management Authority report stated that the existing 156 relief camps set up across the State in view of the flood is currently housing 11,741 displaced people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over phone and took stock of the latest flood and erosion and COVID-19 situation in the State. During the conversation, Chief Minister Sonowal apprised the Prime Minister about the havoc brought by the latest wave of flood, which has submerged vast tracts of agricultural land in the State and crippled normal life.

He informed that several districts are reeling under flood and this has caused huge damages to crops and disrupted communication network in different parts. Besides, erosion and landslides have also severely impacted the State and claimed several lives, the Chief Minister said.

Sonowal also informed the Prime Minister about the relief and rehabilitation measures being made for the marooned people and engagement of NDRF as well SDRF personnel in rescue operations