Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises To 27, Over 1.7 Lakh People Displaced

Guwahati: Large parts of the country endured a torrid heatwave for nearly two months.

And now, with monsoon gradually setting in, Indians have to contend with heavy rains and flooding.

Assam is one of the states which suffers from floods every year, and it’s no different this time either.

The death toll due to floods in Assam stands at 27, with 3.9 lakh people having been affected in 19 districts, according to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Over 171,000 people have been displaced from their homes, of whom just 15,160 have taken shelter in the 245 temporary relief camps set up by the state government across 17 districts.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Assam has received 422.2 mm rainfall between June 1 and 19, which is 51% higher than normal.

Even before the onset of monsoon, the impact of Cyclone Remal brought heavy rains and flooding in Assam in the last week of May.

Three rivers — Barak, Kushiyara and Kopili — are flowing above the danger level, leading to floods in 19 districts.

Karimganj is the hardest hit, as 2.4 lakh residents have been affected while 7 people have lost their lives in the district due to floods and landslides.