Assam flood scene worsens; toll rises to 42

GUWAHATI: Increased rainfall activity over the past few days has worsened the flood situation in Assam yet again with as many as 20 districts affected and two more deaths reported on Saturday.

One drowning death was reported from Kokrajhar district while the other casualty was reported from South Salmara district, taking the overall death toll in the first wave of floods to 42, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin informed.

The population affected by the deluge increased substantially over the past three days to over 6 lakh, with Dhemaji and Barpeta districts tallying close to 1.30 lakh each, followed by Lakhimpur where over 82,000 people have been displaced.

Currently, 8474 people are taking shelter in 92 relief camps/centres across 10 districts.

The Brahmaputra in four districts and several tributaries are flowing above danger level.

The situation at Kaziranga National Park too has deteriorated over the past few days with only 46 of the 223 camps opened for sheltering animals currently affected by the deluge, the divisional forest officer, Eastern Assam wildlife division, informed.

Out of 25 camps opened at Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 24 camps remain affected by the deluge while six camps of the 40 camps are inundated by floodwaters at Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.

Meanwhile, landslides have partially damaged three houses and displaced 17 persons at Boro Haflong village in Dima Hasao district while five families have been evacuated to an alternative location following a landslide at Madhab Nagar, Maligaon in Kamrup Metro district, the ASDMA informed on Saturday evening.