Assam Flood Situation Grim; Over 9 Lakh People Affected, 20 Dead

Courtesy www.newindianexpress.com

Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam took a turn for the worse on Sunday as more areas in different districts got submerged.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 9.26 lakh people from 2,071 villages in 23 of the 33 total districts of the state have been affected by this year’s floods. The number of deaths has gone up to 20.

About 30,000 people have taken shelter in 193 relief camps across the state.

The Brahmaputra and many of its tributaries flowed above the danger mark at several places, according to a Central Water Commission bulletin.

Almost 60% of the Kaziranga National Park, which is spread over 430 sq km, has been inundated due to the flooding from heavy rains.

“Some animals have started moving to higher areas and we have put in measures to control speed of vehicular movement on the national highway that passes close to the park to ensure animals crossing the road to reach the hills of Karbi Anglong are safe,” said director of the park P Sivakumar.

Efforts to control the fire at Oil India Limited’s Baghjan gas well in Tinsukia district have also been affected by the floods. All work at the well and nearby areas had to be called off as it was considered to be unsafe.

The gas well located caught fire on June 9, killing two firefighters.