Assam flood situation turns critical; 8 lives lost in last 24 hours
The flood situation in Assam on Sunday (June 19) took a turn for the worse, as around eight people lost their lives in the past 24 hours. A release from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) revealed that the total death toll in the state had reached 62.
Sunday marks the sixth consecutive day of rains in the north-eastern states. As per reports, Assam’s 32 out of 33 districts are now inundated by floods. River Brahmaputra and its tributaries flowing across the north-eastern states are reported to be flowing at dangerously high levels. In neighbouring Meghalaya, the incessant rain has led to broken highway links.
As per a PTI report, around 10,000 people have been rendered homeless in Tripura due to heavy rainfall.
Also Read: Monsoon wrecks north-east but majority of India remains rain-deficit
As per some reports, out of the eight dead in the flood, two were from Karimganj district and one person in Hailakandi district was buried alive in a landslide, and six others died in the flood waters. According to media reports, around 31 people have died in Meghalaya and five in Arunachal Pradesh. The death toll due to rain across the north-eastern states stands at 88.
Fresh landslides were reported in several areas of Guwahati and parts of Cacher, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Goalpara, Kamrup and other districts. As per an ANI tweet, locals were seen wading through flood water in the Kampur area of central Assam’s Nagaon district.
NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) personnel are in the process of evacuating people to safer places. Meanwhile, the flood situation in Assam’s Chirang district remains grim with thousands of people affected by the flood. SDRF teams have rescued more than 100 villagers and transported them to safer places.
Also read: At 811.6 mm, Cherrapunji records highest one-day rainfall in 27 years
The Sohra region of Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji recorded the third time highest rainfall on Friday (June 17). Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh to the family of the deceased.
#WATCH | Severe water-logging triggered by incessant rains causes inconvenience to commuters in various areas of Guwahati city, Assam pic.twitter.com/xoKI8n12nf
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2022
On Sunday (June 19), Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Earlier today, spoke to Assam CM Shri Himanta Biswa and took stock of the situation due to floods in the state. Assured all possible support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of the people of Assam affected by flooding.”
In a tweet, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma too expressed his concern: “Absolutely moved while listening to some problems of flood-affected people taking shelter at relief camps and directed officials to address their genuine issues as soon as possible.”
