Assam Needs Immediate Help, 26 Lakh People Struggling To Survive As Floods Wreak Havoc

The devastating flood situation across Assam has shown no signs of improvement as parts of the state continue to be submerged for days now, forcing lakhs to flee for safety.

According to the latest reports as many as 26 lakhs, people have been affected by the rising waters. This is in addition to the over 10.42 lakh animals which are affected. The floods have also entered 87,607 hectares of farmland.

AFP

In Dibrugarh, one of the worst affected districts 72 villages has inundated by the ongoing floods caused by the Brahmaputra.

The situation in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Nalbari, Chirang, Golaghat, Majuli, Jorhat, Nagaon, Morigaon, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Darrang and Barpeta are also not much different. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, Borjhar there will be more incessant rains in Assam in the next 48 hours.

AFP

River Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Nimatighat in Jorhat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri.

Other rivers like Burhidehing, Subansiri, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Kopili, Puthimari, Beki, Barak, Katakhal and Kushiyara have also crossed the danger mark.

What makes the situation even worse is that a number of key roads including the National highway 37 linking upper Assam to Guwahati have been cut off due to floods at Kaziranga. This has resulted in rescue and relief teams being unable to reach to people stranded in remote areas.

The NDFR, along with the SDRF and the Fire Force has been carrying out rescue operations across the flood-hit areas.

#NDRF #Evacuation #Rescue @ Morigaon, Assam@satyaprad1 @ndmaindia @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/6MARMMiGwT

¡ª NDRF (@NDRFHQ) July 14, 2019

#NDRF #Evacuation #Rescue @ Village Amorpur, Sadiya Circle & Halem Circle, Biswanath, Assam.@satyaprad1 @ndmaindia @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/7jzezzpmMD

¡ª NDRF (@NDRFHQ) July 14, 2019

The devastating floods are also taking a toll on the wildlife in the state, especially in Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga, the home of one-horned Rhino is said to be 70 percent submerged under the flood waters.

As floodwaters enter fringe villages of #Kaziranga and people move out, #wildlife needs higher ground to be safe. This is where we come in to rescue animals displaced or injured by #AssamFloods with #AssamForestDepartment and @action4ifaw @vivek4wild @AzzedineTDownes + pic.twitter.com/U4bzXRLSU4

¡ª Wildlife Trust India (@wti_org_india) July 13, 2019

There are fears that the floods could inflict damages to the wildlife population there.

Beginning my day in #kaziranga national park in #India with #AssamFloods threatening but wildlife rescue teams are already in the job saving lives. ?@action4ifaw? ?@wti_org_india? Major flooding predicted to arrive today pic.twitter.com/83WskJcwat

¡ª Azzedine T. Downes (@AzzedineTDownes) July 14, 2019

According to officials efforts are on to rescue stranded animals and take them to higher grounds.

¡°Many animals have moved to highlands. We have a sufficient stock of fodder and forest officials are on alert,¡± an official said.

Animal rights groups and voluntary organizations also have joined in the efforts to rescue and relocate the animals.

Curfew Section 144 imposed around #Kaziranga should help #wildlife cross safely. #AssamForestDepartment on vigil https://t.co/ihSjZs7sb3 #AssamFloods@action4ifaw @AzzedineTDownes @vivek4wild + pic.twitter.com/evdNVccyCz

¡ª Wildlife Trust India (@wti_org_india) July 13, 2019

Barriers, volunteers and #AssamForestDepartment with civic authorities co-ordinate to enable animals cross to safer ground and we work at #CWRC with @kaziranga_ and @action4ifaw to save displaced and injured #wildlife #Kaziranga #AssamFloods #wildliferescue + pic.twitter.com/1RL4gP0gVU

¡ª Wildlife Trust India (@wti_org_india) July 13, 2019

However, there is a looming fear that if the floods continue like this, the endangered Rhinos could venture out of the safety of the national park and become easy prey for poachers.