Flood situation still grim in Assam, nearly 4 lakh people affected

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority reports, the current flood claimed 19 lives in the state.

On Thursday, three persons drowned in Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon district.

According to the ASDMA data, flood waters have submerged 31,666.51 hectare agricultural land in 15 districts.

The water levels of Brahmaputra river and its tributaries crossed danger level mark at several areas in the state caused by incessant rains in past couple of days.

“Around 3.98 lakh people of 993 villages in 15 districts are affected in the fresh flood,” a top official of ASDMA said.

On the other hand, wild animals including one horned rhinoceros of Kaziranga National Park took shelter near Karbi Anglong hills area by crossing National Highway 37 after flood waters submerged over 70 per cent areas in the national park.

“We have taken adequate measures to protect wild animals during the flood situation,” an official of the national park said.

Apart from Kaziranga National Park, more areas were inundated by flood waters in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, in view of surging water level and consequent flooding of 15 districts of the state, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed Revenue and Disaster Management Department and district administration to reach out to the affected people and step up relief and rescue operations across the State.          

In an emergency review meeting in the conference room of his office in Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Thursday, Sonowal took stock of the prevailing flood situation in the state and directed district administrations both civil and police to provide relief materials including pure drinking water, medical facilities and security to the camp inmates.

He also asked Revenue and Disaster Management Department to disburse an ex-gratia relief to the next of the family members of those killed in the current spate of flood within 48 hours.

Sonowal also asked Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department along with SDRF to undertake operations to rescue the marooned animals and provide fodder to cattle.

Sonowal asked the MPs and MLAs to remain in their constituencies and supervise rescue and relief operations.          

The Assam CM also directed Agriculture Department to ensure supply of superior quality seeds to the farmers whose crops have been devastated in the flood.

He also asked APDCL to see that no casualties take place due to electrocution.          

Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta, chief secretary VK Pipersenia, additional chief secretaries, senior officers of all the line departments were present at the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)