Toll in Assam flood fury climbs to 44
NATURE’S WRATH Rising water levels have affected over 17 lakh people in 24 of state’s 32 districts
more people were killed as floods continued to wreak havoc across Assam on Wednesday, taking the total number of deaths to 44.
According to state disaster management authority, one death each was reported from Majuli, Sivasagar, Dhemaji, Golaghat and Nagaon districts.
Rising water levels in rivers and low lying areas in the state have affected over 17 lakh people in 24 of the state’s 32 districts. Official figures say over 31,000 people are displaced and are taking shelter in 294 relief camps.
“Our government is extending all possible help in rescue and relief operations. Efforts are underway at all levels to ensure that the flood affected are taken care of,” chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said while visiting flood-hit Majuli river island on Wednesday.
The affected districts are Lakhimpur, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Jorhat, Golaghat, Cachar, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Karimganj, Sonitpur, Majuli, Barpeta, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Marigaon, Chirang, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, South Salmara, Charaideo, Goalpara and Karbi Anglong.
The Brahmaputra flowed above the danger level at Neematighat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri on Wednesday.
Nearly 2,500 villages are inundated across the state and 1,05,860 hectares of crop area affected. Around 10 lakh animals, including poultry, have been affected and 1652 houses damaged on Wednesday.
Flood waters have breached several embankments along rivers, damaged roads and bridges, led to landslides and erosions across Assam.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state are flooded. Over 73% of the total 430 sq km area of Kaziranga National Park is under water and three deer died due to drowning on Wednesday.
Chief minister Sonowal also visited the Kaziranga National Park and directed officials to maintain a close vigil on the movement of animals so that they don’t fall victims to poachers