floods-in-assam-kill-38-displace-over-11-lakh

The flood situation in Assam has escalated dramatically, with the death toll reaching 48 and over 11.34 lakh people affected across 28 districts.

 

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) confirmed three more deaths in the last 24 hours, including two from Tinsukia and one from Dhemaji district.

Sarma is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to review the flood situation prevailing in the various districts.

The current second wave of floods have affected Barpeta, Biswanath, Cachar, Charaideo, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Tamulpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts.

 

The most severely impacted districts include Lakhimpur, Darrang, and Golaghat. Lakhimpur alone has 165,319 people affected, followed by Darrang with 147,143, and Golaghat with 106,480.

 

The flood scenario in Kaziranga National Park is also critical with vast tracts of forests inundated and a baby rhino drowning in floodwaters.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the situation in the park and directed the authorities to take adequate precautions, including regulation of vehicular traffic on the national highway, to ensure that wildlife is not harmed.

Across the state, 42,476 hectares of crops are underwater, and 2,208 villages in 84 revenue circles are inundated.

 

Major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Subansiri, Burhidihing, Dikhou, and Disang, are flowing above the danger mark, exacerbating the situation.

 

In response, the administration has established 489 relief camps and distribution centers, sheltering nearly 2.9 lakh people. Many others have sought refuge on higher ground, in school buildings, and on roads and bridges.

 

Relief and rescue operations are in full swing, with the local administration, Army, paramilitary forces, and SDRF teams working tirelessly.

 

On Tuesday alone, around 2,900 people were rescued from flood-hit areas.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided an update on the flood situation in the state, maintaining that water levels are receding. 

 

In a social media post, the CM attributed the floods to a cloud burst and assured citizens that the administration is working tirelessly to prevent further breaches of embankments.

“Water levels are receding. A cloud burst has resulted in the current floods. We are working 24*7 to ensure no further embankment breaches occur. In a week, the situation should improve,” Sarma posted.

 

Sharing an update on the Assam Flood situation

👉Water levels are receding
👉 A cloud burst has resulted in the current floods
👉 We are working 24*7 to ensure no further embankment breaches occur
👉 In a week, situation should improve #AssamFloods pic.twitter.com/KkdnjOXJxw

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 3, 2024

 

In another post, CM Sarma called upon the people of Assam to demonstrate resilience and solidarity in facing the crisis.

“Resilience of the people of Assam is our biggest strength, and it shows in times like these when we collectively commit to overcoming the challenges posed by the floods,” he stated.

 

Resilience of the people of Assam is our biggest strength and it shows in times like these when we collectively commit to overcome the challenges posed by the floods. #AssamFloods pic.twitter.com/TdxOlZ1WS9

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 3, 2024

Flood relief aid

The administration has distributed substantial aid, including 10,754.98 quintals of rice, 1,958.89 quintals of dal, 554.91 quintals of salt, and 23,061.44 liters of mustard oil. Cattle feed has also been provided to affected livestock.

 

The floods have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, impacting 832,099 animals, damaging 74 roads, six bridges, and 14 embankments, with five embankments breached.