GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam remained critical with over 16 lakh people affected across 22 districts and one death reported from Goalpara district, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority informed on Thursday evening.
The overall death toll in the first wave of floods has now risen to 34.
Nearly 8.60 lakh are currently affected in Barpeta district alone while close to two lakh people remain affected in South Salmara district.
Currently, 12,597 people are taking shelter in 163 relief camps/centres set up across 16 districts.
Floodwaters have inundated vast tracts of farmlands in the state with a crop area of 72,717.98 hectares affected in 18 districts.
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries continue to flow above danger level.
Meanwhile, state chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said that flood situation was being constantly monitored.
“Rescue, relief and timely redressal measures have been initiated across the state. Government is putting all necessary efforts at this moment of distress. The overall scenario is showing signs of improvement,” Krishna informed through Twitter on Thursday.
The deluge has also damaged various roads, bridges and embankments. Besides, the district disaster management authority informed that 17 roads have been affected and 13 schools partially affected in Dibrugarh district in Upper Assam.
As many as 25 animals have died while altogether 34 animals of Kaziranga National Park have been rescued since floodwaters submerged low-lying areas of the park.
Currently, 73 camps are affected and six vacated out of the 223 opened for sheltering animals at the national park, the divisional forest officer, Eastern Assam wildlife division, informed.
On the other hand, 12 out of the 25 camps set up for sheltering animals at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary remain affected by the deluge, the divisional forest officer of Pobitora wildlife sanctuary reported on Thursday.