floods-ravage-assam-over-3-lakh-people-stranded

Assam is reeling under severe flooding and landslides, affecting nearly 3 lakh people, as reported by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

 

Over the past 24 hours, 2,96,384 individuals have been impacted. Tragically, 26 people have lost their lives due to landslides triggered by incessant heavy rainfall across the state.

 

The calamity has engulfed 979 villages across 48 revenue circles in 19 districts. The affected districts include Kamrup, South Salmara, Goalpara, Nagaon, Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Hojai, Darrang, Nalbari, Karimganj, Udalguri, Tamulpur, Hailakandi, Biswanath, Barpeta, Cachar, Baksa, Bajali, and Sonitpur.

 

Karimganj has borne the brunt of the disaster, with 2,45,379 people suffering due to the floods. Other severely affected districts include Tamulpur (11,526 people), Bajali (5,671 people), Hojai (5,272 people), and Nagaon (5,247 people). Notably, the Kopili River in Nagaon’s Kampur continues to flow above the danger mark, exacerbating the situation.

 

Infrastructure has taken a significant hit, with 29 incidents of road damage reported across Barpeta, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Nalbari, South Salmara, and Udalguri districts. Furthermore, a bridge in Barpeta district and several embankments in Tamulpur, Darrang, and Bongaigaon have been damaged or breached. Urban flooding has affected 21 villages in Kokrajhar, Kamrup, Cachar, Kamrup (M), and Nalbari districts.

 

Cachar and Kamrup districts are the most impacted by urban flooding, with 3,105 and 235 people respectively affected. A relief camp in North Guwahati, Kamrup district, is currently sheltering 235 individuals.

 

In addition to flooding, landslides have struck the districts of Dima Hasao, Cachar, and Karimganj, affecting 46 people and destroying 1.13 hectares of land. Furthermore, 28 villages in 10 revenue circles across South Salmara, Baksa, Barpeta, Nalbari, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Dima Hasao, and Cachar districts have been hit by storms.

 

Erosion has also caused considerable damage in Nalbari, Dhubri, South Salmara, Kokrajhar, Tinsukia, and Udalguri districts, with 7.75 hectares of land eroded in Dhubri and Tinsukia alone.

 

The floods have also taken a toll on local fauna, with 2,53,413 animals affected. Evacuations have been conducted to save livestock along with human inhabitants.

 

Relief efforts are in full swing, with around 12,166 individuals currently taking refuge in relief camps across seven flood-affected districts. Additionally, 10,287 non-camp inmates are seeking shelter at Relief Distribution Centers in Karimganj and Nagaon.

 

In Karimganj, local residents, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration have evacuated 73 people and 25 animals by boat. The SDRF also evacuated seven individuals and five animals. In Udalguri, the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) rescued two people by boat.

On June 15, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma convened a crucial meeting with civil and police authorities, along with officials from Kaziranga National Park, to devise strategies for safeguarding wildlife during the flood season.

 

The Chief Minister directed the implementation of essential measures to enhance the response system, ensuring the safety of both animals and humans.

 

To prevent accidents involving animals crossing national highways and to deter poachers from exploiting the flood situation, CM Sarma announced the deployment of three new commando battalions at Kaziranga.

 

Additionally, approximately 600 personnel from a newly formed forest battalion will be stationed at the park to provide assistance throughout the flood season.

 

Meanwhile, Meghalaya is also grappling with the consequences of incessant rainfall. The Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) reports that continuous downpours since June 10 have claimed two lives and affected over 3,000 people.

 

The deceased were identified as Probino Warbah, 48, of Tynring Village, East Khasi Hills, who drowned on June 10, and Kantly Maram, 49, of Nongkroh Rambrai Village, West Khasi Hills, who was struck by lightning on June 12.

 

Over 3,037 people across 42 villages in six districts have been affected.