Assam floods: Over four lakh people affected, situation grim

Image used for representational purpose. Pic/Google Earth

The flood situation in Assam remained grave on Saturday with over 4.88 lakh people affected so far, an official report said, according to news agency PTI report.

PTI reported that major rivers remained in spate across the state with the meteorological department warning of more rainfall and thunderstorm in different parts.

A Central Water Commission report on Friday evening said the Brahmaputra was flowing over the danger level in Nematighat (Jorhat). The water level of the Puthimari and Pagladiya rivers have breached the red mark in Kamrup and Nalbari districts respectively, it added.

The Regional Meteorological Centre here has issued a 'Yellow' alert for Saturday, asking people to be on watch and remain updated for heavy rainfall and thunderstorm in some parts of the state. As per an official report, more than 4.88 lakh people in 16 districts are currently reeling under floods.
Two persons have been killed in floods this year so far.

Worst affected has been the Bajali sub-division where 2.67 lakh people have been hit by the deluge. Nalbari and Barpeta districts are also among the severely hit with around 80,000 and 73,000 people affected respectively.

More than 35,000 people are staying in 140 relief camps. Another 75 relief distribution centres are also functional. Different agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, civil defence personnel and local people, have been assisting the administration in carrying out rescue and relief operations.

Embankments have been breached or damaged in Biswanath, Darrang and Kokrajhar districts in the last 24 hours. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been damaged in different districts, including Bajali, Baksa, Barpeta, Cachar, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Majuli and Nalbari.
Reports of erosion have been recorded in Baksa, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Dibrugarh, Sivsagar, Sonitpur, South Salmara, Udalguri and Tamulpur.

Landslides and urban flooding have also been reported from different parts, the report added.

A week earlier, more than 2,400 tourists, including 60 college students were stranded in Lachen and Lachung area of North Sikkim district due to road blockades following incessant rainfall since the last three days, officials had said.

The district administration has pressed into service 19 buses and 70 smaller vehicles to evacuate the 2,464 stranded tourists, officials said. As of now, three buses and two other vehicles carrying 123 tourists have left for the state capital Gangtok, they said.

(With inputs from PTI)