Floods in Assam have claimed 28 lives since July 17 and forced over 1.25 lakh people to take shelter in relief camps, according to a report by the State Disaster Management Authority.
More than 2 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged in 23 districts due to the breaching of the embankments of Brahmaputra.
The current situation, which has affected over 1.1 million people, follows the disruption caused by pre-monsoon floods in April and May.
According to an official of the disaster management authority, who wished not to be quoted, said education institutions, which now serve as relief camps, remain closed. The official also said food, drinking water, and tarpaulin, among other necessities, are being provided to the needy.
“We are in touch with the affected areas. The chief minister has also reached out and has spoken with the district commissioners to take stock of the situation, following which the Assembly was also suspended. We are on our toes, registering complaints,” said Nandita Hazarika, Deputy Secretary and SPO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority, to The Hindu.
National Disaster Response Force teams have also been deployed.
She also pointed out that heavy rainfall in Bhutan could have caused excess flooding in lower Assam. Also, she said, “heavy rainfall has caused a breach to the Brahmaputra itself.”
Almost 80 per cent of Kaziranga National Park, home to the one-horned rhinoceros, is submerged under water. Forest authorities, along with members of the Wildlife Trust of India, have been rescuing animals to the rehabilitation centre.
Dr. Panjit Basumati, who works with the Wildlife Trust of India in Kaziranga, pointed out that hundreds of animals, including baby rhinos, have been rescued.
Every year, rain leaves a trail of destruction.
In 2012 alone, flood claimed more than 120 lives. An estimated 22 lakh people were affected, and about 560 animals, including 14 rhinos, were reported dead.
