Rainfall came as a disaster in Assam, 72 people died, 23 lakh people affected
Assam Floods
The flood situation in Assam remained grim on Monday and about 23 lakh population of 28 districts was affected. Six more people died today, taking the total death toll to 72 till July 8, 2024. This information was given in an official bulletin. According to the bulletin, the water level of most of the rivers is above the danger mark. 78 people died in floods, landslides and storms in the state this year, out of which 72 people died due to floods alone.
Rahul seeks help for flood-hit Assam
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today visited a flood relief camp at Fullertal in Assam’s Cachar district and said he stands with the people of the state and is “their soldier in Parliament”. He urged the Centre to provide all possible help to the state immediately. “I stand with the people of Assam, I am their soldier in Parliament and I urge the Central government to provide all possible help to the state immediately,” Rahul said in a post on X after visiting a flood relief camp at Fullertal in Cachar district of Assam. He said Assam Congress leaders have apprised him of the ground situation that over 24 lakh people have been affected by the floods, 53,000 and over have been displaced and over 60 people have died.
131 wild animals died in Kaziranga National Park
Meanwhile, an official said at least 131 wild animals have died so far in Kaziranga National Park, while 96 others have been rescued. The park is facing the worst floods in recent years, the first large-scale devastation was in 2017, when more than 350 wild animals migrating from animal corridors to higher areas were killed in floodwaters and in vehicle collisions.
What did CM Himanta say?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said all relief camps in flood-affected districts have been well-prepared and adequate stock of essential commodities has been kept till the situation normalises. He said the safety and hygiene of flood relief camps is the government’s priority and his team is in touch with the people staying there. Currently, around 23 lakh people from 3,446 villages in 28 districts have been affected by the floods, while 68,432.75 hectares of cropland has been inundated by the second wave of floods. Dhubri has the highest number of people affected at 7,54,791, followed by Cachar at 1,77,928 and Barpeta at 1,34,328. A total of 53,689 people have taken shelter in 269 relief camps, while 3,15,520 people not staying in relief camps have been provided with relief materials.
Many rivers are above the danger mark
The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark at Nimati Ghat, Tezpur and Dhubri. Burhi Dihing in Khowang, Dikhow in Sivasagar, Disang in Nangalmuraghat, Dhansiri in Numaligarh, Kopili in Dharamtul, Beki in Barpeta, Sankosh in Golakganj, Barak in BP Ghat and Kushiyara in Karimganj rivers are flowing above the danger mark. Several agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local administration are carrying out relief and rescue operations. 171 boats have been deployed in various parts for relief and rescue operations. A total of 70 people and 459 cattle were rescued by various agencies in the last 24 hours. Damage to roads, bridges, Anganwadi centres and fisheries ponds due to floods have been reported from across the state.