Assam Floods: 9 Killed, Over 6.6 Lakh People In 27 Districts Affected As Situation Worsens
The flood situation in Assam is showing no signs of improvement and further deteriorated on Wednesday.
Till now, according to the government, a total of nine people have been killed in flood-related incidents across the state.
27 out of 34 districts under flood
More than 6.62 lakh people in 27 of the state's 34 districts have been affected by the heavy pre-monsoon showers that caused floods and landslides across the state.
Nearly 8,260 houses have been either partially and completely damaged in 1,414 villages across 27 districts.
Over 46,160 hectare crop areas have been affected in the flood-hit districts while more than 48,304 people have taken shelter in 135 relief camps.
The worst-affected districts include Cachar, Dima Hasao, Hojai, Nagaon, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Bajali, Baksa, Biswanath and Lakhimpur.
Nagaon is the worst hit district where 2.88 lakh people are reeling under the calamity. In Cachar nearly 1.2 lakh people and in Hojai more than 1.07 lakh people were affected.
Relief and rescue operations continue
The Army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force along with the district administrations are working round the clock to rescue the stranded people to provide relief to them.
Defence Spokesman, Lt. Colonel Angom Bobin Singh said on receipt of an urgent request from Cachar's Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli, two columns of Army and Assam Rifles personnel of Masimpur Garrison rushed for flood rescue operations in various parts of the district.
Wildlife under threat from floods
With the flood situation worsening and the monsoon approaching, there are growing concerns about the safety of animals, including the endangered one-horned Rhinos in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) and other National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the state.
The Assam Forest Department has built around 40 highlands for providing shelter to animals during floods.
"We have successfully completed the construction of around 40 highlands for tackling the prevailing flood situations in Kaziranga and other National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries," Minister for Environment and Forest, Parimal Suklabaidya said.
Highlands to save animals
The new highlands have been designed scientifically with provision for adequate grass, and plants yielding fruits such as elephant apple and Indian gooseberry, Suklabaidya said.
"These highlands have enabled to reduce the animal casualty during annual floods," the Minister added.
He further said the department is fully geared up to deal with the ongoing flood situation.
"Kaziranga bears the brunt of floods every year, be it small or big. We are fully equipped to tackle any sort of exigency along with food arrangements for the officials and forest personnel deployed for rescue operations of animals in Kaziranga," he added.
According to KNPTR Director, Jatin Sharma the park has a total of 144 man-made highlands, including 33 big ones for housing animals during floods.
"In addition to that, we have built an 8.5 km long road cum highland for providing shelter to animals during floods and for patrolling," Sharma said.
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