GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam has not shown any signs of improvement with a population of nearly 40 lakh affected in 27 districts while five more deaths were reported from four districts, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority informed on Thursday evening.
Two more deaths were reported from Morigaon district, while one casualty each was reported from Goalpara, Barpeta and Lakhimpur districts in the past 24 hours.
The overall death toll with the latest casualties has gone up to 71.
The situation in Dhubri district has further worsened with about 8.72 lakh people displaced from their homes while 4.78 lakh remain affected in Barpeta district,.
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries continue to swell in the wake of increasing rainfall activity.
As many as 49,313 people are currently taking shelter in 748 relief camps/centres across the state.
Meanwhile, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday visited the submerged areas of Kaziranga National Park through a speed motor boat via Mora Difalu River under Bagori range of the Park and took stock of the condition of the marooned animals and measures taken by the park authority to ensure their protection.
Several animals in the flood-affected park are taking shelter at the highlands constructed by the state government.
Sonowal also visited the deluge-hit forest camps at Gorakati, Mora Difalu and Mur Phuloni and interacted with the forest guards who are carrying out strict surveillance of the park, braving all odds to ensure protection of the marooned animals.
The chief minister further said that the state government has made all-out efforts to provide relief to the flood affected families. He said social distancing norms have been followed at the flood relief camps and the inmates were provided masks.
Besides, medical check-up of the inmates were also carried out while fodder has been provided to all flood-affected domestic animals.