Assam flood scene improves but 3 more die

A population of 16.54 lakh in 21 districts however remained hit by the current wave, of which over 4 lakh are affected in Goalpara district alone, followed by Morigaon (2.63 lakh), South Salmara (2.49 lakh) and Dhubri (2.21 lakh), the Assam State Disaster Management Authority informed on Wednesday evening.

The number of affected people in Barpeta has come down below 2 lakh.

The Brahmaputra is flowing above danger level in Jorhat, Sonitpur and Dhubri districts, the Central Water Commission reported on Wednesday morning.

Rescue and relief operations by NDRF and SDRF are underway in the flood-hit districts.

State Disaster Response Force with the help of local people evacuated 32 persons to safer places in Dhemaji district where the overflowing Jiadhal river has inundated at least 50 revenue villages following incessant rain in the past few days.

On the other hand, the flood-related death toll of animals in Kaziranga National Park has gone up to 142 even as the water level has receded somewhat in the past few days and just 26 of the 223 camps remaining inundated.

The divisional forest officer of Eastern Assam Wildlife division informed that 165 animals of the park have been rescued so far.

Meanwhile, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday visited the erosion and flood-hit areas of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts and took stock of the situation.

Interacting with mediapersons later, Sonowal said that along with flood, soil erosion has posed a major challenge.

The chief minister, who has been visiting several flood and erosion-affected districts of late, further informed that he has already directed the water resources department to initiate remedial steps.

“Erosion perpetrated by different rivers in Dhemaji has posed a great problem. The water resources department has pressed its men and material to find a long standing and scientific solution to the problem,” he said.