Assam floods have claimed 49 so far

Guwahati: With incessant rain lashing the northeastern states even on Friday, there is no let up in the flood situation in Assam where at least 49 people have lost their lives so far in the current wave of flood since August 10. More than 31 lakh people are still reeling under the devastating affect of the floods across 25 districts of the state.

Sources said 11 more people were killed even as the authorities said there were some “signs of improvement” in the overall situation.

In 903 relief camps set up by the local administration in different localities of the flood-hit districts, 4,19,452 flood-hit people are taking shelter. The NDRF, SDRF, Army, Police and Forest Police personnel, revenue circle administrations and local people have so far evacuated 46,479 marooned people in 25 flood-hit districts, said the official flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.

The floodwaters of the rivers have affected 3, 45,750.48 hectares of crop land in 31 districts of the State, the bulletin said.

It further stated that 9,98,699 big animals 5,86, 335 small animals and 13, 92,948 poultry have been affected by the current wave of flood.

The Brahmaputra is still flowing above its respective danger levels at Neamatighat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri. Its tributaries Dhansiri (South), Jia Bharali, Kopili and Beki are also flowing above danger mark at different locations.

The Kushiyara is also flowing above its danger level at Karimganj. Meanwhile, after water level receded at Kaziranaga National Park, more animal carcasses surfaced taking the death toll of wild animals to 179 on Friday. Since last month’s floods, the death toll increased to 286.

Sources said, at least 107 animals, including seven rhinos, perished in the water.