Flood and rain-induced landslips have claimed 11 lives in Assam with four persons drowning in three districts as of July 14.
Officials of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority said 3,181 villages had been inundated in 28 of the 33 districts, affecting 26,45,533 people. The authorities had increased the number of relief camps to 327 where 16,596 people, including 2,417 children, were taking shelter.
Western Assam’s Barpeta district continues to be the worst-affected district with 7.35 lakh people stranded or displaced. Dhubri and South Salmara districts with 3.38 lakh and 1.41 lakh affected people had overtaken north-eastern Dhemaji district that was first hit in what is being called the second wave of flood.
More than 75% of the 430-sq km Kaziranga National Park was inundated by July 14, including 155 of its 200 anti-poaching camps. Officials also reported the drowning of a hog deer and the death of six animals — different species of deer — which were hit by vehicles.
“Apart from deploying rescue teams with boats, we are ensuring adequate distribution of relief material that include rice, pulses, salt and mustard oil. Baby food, tarpaulin, medicines, chlorine for disinfecting and cattle fodder have also been provided,” said Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Additional Chief Secretary in charge of disaster management.
(Photos by Ritu Raj Konwar)
Villagers run for their lives as their boat is about to capsize in flood waters in Ashighar village in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Friday, July 12, 2019. All the passengers were rescued by the villagers.
A Rhino crosses flood water to take shelter in a safe place inside the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Increasing flood water has submerged 80% of the wildlife sanctuary and all the animal are looking for high ground for shelter.
A boy and his grandfather carry a LPG cylinder through flood water in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Friday, July 12, 2019.
Flood affected villagers shifting their belongings in a country boat to a safe place in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Western Assam’s Barpeta district continues to be the worst-affected district with 7.35 lakh people stranded or displaced.
Animals and villagers take shelter in a high ground in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Sunday, July 14, 2019.About 3.50 lakh people have been hit in Morigaon.
Children collect fire wood in rain in the flood affected Morigaon district of Assam on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Dhubri and other lower Assam districts will probably see more severe flood in coming days, according to disaster management authorities of Assam.
