NEW DELHI, July 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — Flooding in India’s northeastern state of Assam has affected over 5.6 million people and killed 93, officials said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the floods have claimed four lives and affected 2.8 million people in 26 districts during the past 24 hours.
“In the ongoing floods that have hit the state from May 22 until yesterday (Thursday) evening, a population of 5,664,499 has been affected,” a senior official at ASDMA said. “The number of lives that have been lost during this period because of flooding is 93.”
According to the ASDMA, the water has inundated 2,634 villages and damaged cropland spread over 119,435 hectares in 24 hours. The incessant rains have also triggered landslides in several areas from June 2 until July 12 intermittently, leaving 26 deaths.
According to the Central Water Commission, all the major rivers are flowing over the danger level, damaging several bridges and roads, eroding roads, embankments, culverts, and bridges.
More than 95 percent of the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site was submerged in floodwaters. Wildlife officials said at least 123 wild animals have died in floods and 150 others rescued.
The local government has set up relief centers in almost all the affected districts to provide shelter to the affected population. Locals said the majority of the people were taking shelter in houses of their friends and relatives.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday visited Mangaldai and Darrang to review flood scenario and relief and rescue measures. India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were carrying out massive rescue operations in Assam.
Floods are an annual occurrence in Assam during the monsoon season, although the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a greater challenge for the authorities and people.
Floods have also wreaked havoc in neighboring Meghalaya and the country’s eastern state of Bihar. — NNN-XINHUA
