Assam Faces Nature's Wrath As 2 Lakh People Affected Due To Floods, Heavy Rain Predicted

At a time when the state is working towards containing the spread of COVID-19 Assam has been dealt with a double blow after heavy rains triggered flash floods in many parts. According to the Assam government, over 2 lakh people across nine districts have been affected by the floods and one person has lost his life.

TWITTER

At present, around 2.72 lakh persons are affected due to flood in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Hojai, Darrang, Barpeta, Nalbari, Goalpara, West Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.

Goalpara is the worst-hit district with 2.15 lakh people affected, followed by Nalbari with over 22,000 people hit and Nagaon with nearly 11,000 persons. The NDRF and SDRF have rescued nine people in the last 24 hours in Goalpara, while 172.53 quintals of rice, dal, salt and 804.42 litres of mustard oil have been distributed along with tarpaulin and other essential items.

PTI

Currently, Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Nimatighat in Jorhat, while Jia Bharali at NH Road Crossing in Sonitpur and Puthimari at NH Road Crossing in Kamrup.

At present, 321 villages are under water and 2,678 hectares of crop areas have been damaged, the ASDMA said. The authorities are running 57 relief camps and distribution centres in five districts where 16,720 people are taking shelter. Embankments, roads, bridges, culverts and many other infrastructure have been damaged at various places in Golaghat, Barpeta, Nalbari, Dhemaji, Majuli, Hojai, Sonitpur, Chirang, Karimganj, Nagaon, Bongaigaon, Dima Hasao, Baksa and Lakhimpur. Massive erosions have been witnessed at various places in Majuli, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Chirang, Baksa, Biswanath and South Salmara districts, the ASDMA said.

TWITTER

While 70 people were affected by the erosion in Biswanath, the Mander Gaon ME School was washed away in South Salmara. The report further said that at least 30 houses were damaged in landslides in four villages of Dima Hasao, affecting 72 persons. Because of the landslide in the district, movement of three 'Shramik Special' trains were disrupted on Tuesday night until the tracks were repaired.

"The three trains were bound for Agartala and Jiribam in Manipur. We stopped them at Guwahati and Lumding stations. After the lines were cleared, the movement started again at 11:30 am today," Northeast Frontier Railway Public Relations Officer Nripen Bhattacharyya said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Wednesday directed officials to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing, hand washing and wearing of masks are maintained at the flood relief camps so that community spread of disease can be contained during the season.

TWITTER

The chief minister, reviewing the flood situation in the state with officials of the ASDMA and senior officers of other departments, directed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to keep soap and water for hand washing, masks for inmates and properly sanitise the flood relief camps.

Earlier, the IMD had issued a red alert in Assam and instructed residents to keep ¡°most vigil¡± and ¡°take action¡± to protect themselves from rough weather.