Heavy rain in NE states leaves 7 dead, thousands homeless
GUWAHATI: Torrential rains in the past 48 hours have wreaked havoc in the northeastern states, claiming seven lives in Assam, Tripura and Manipur, disrupting rail services and rendering thousands of people homeless across the region.
Tripura government has sought assistance of the Army and the NDRF for evacuation and rescue operations in marooned areas.
CM Biplab Kumar Deb, who visited the flood-hit areas of Unakoti district on Wednesday, briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the "critical situation" in the state this morning, a senior official of the state administration said. At least two villagers were swept away by strong river currents in Tripura on Wednesday.
Altogether, 25,805 people have taken shelter in 189 relief camps due to flash floods following incessant rainfall on June 12 and 13, said an official of State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) adding that final report is yet to be compiled.
The situation in Assam worsened on Thursday with three persons losing their lives and nearly 1.7 lakh people affected across seven districts.
According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority, two persons died in a landslide in Mahur under Halflong revenue circle in Dima Hasao district and another person died in a flood related incident at Bokakhat revenue circle in Golaghat district, it added.
ASDMA said 1.67 lakh people have been affected at Hojai, Karbi Anglong East, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar districts in the state's first wave of flood this year.
In neighbouring Manipur, the state government has declared holiday till Friday in all educational establishments and government offices in Imphal and its adjoining districts in view of the flood situation, an official release said. Two people have drowned in swollen rivers in separate incidents on Wednesday, a police officer said.
Heavy rain continued to lash parts of Mizoram on Thursday, cutting off Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha districts of the state from the rest of the country.