Assam flood situation worsens, NDRF to rescue in Barak Valley
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to Cachar in the Barak Valley of Assam for rescue operations as the flood situation in Assam remained critical on Tuesday (June 21). The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers along with their tributaries continue to overflow, affecting nearly 48 lakh people, the officials said.
The devastating flood triggered by incessant rains since last week has inundated 32 out of 36 districts of the state. Eleven people have been reported missing during the last 24 hours, the officials further informed.
A total 44 people have lost their lives so far in floods and landslides in the state, since June 14.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the four units of the National Disaster Response Force with a total of 105 personnel rushed from Bhubaneswar to Silchar to carry out rescue operations as the flood situation in Karimganj and Cachar districts worsened due to the rising waters of Barak and Kushiyara rivers following the heavy rains.
The Chief Minister also thanked the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the prompt action and help.
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In Cachar, a population of 2,07,143 in 449 villages have been affected, while in Karimganj 1,33,865 in 305 villages were hit by the flood, according to the bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
As per the bulletin, a total crop area of 113485.37 hectares and 33,84,326 animals have been adversely affected while 5232 animals have been swept away in the state.The calamity has affected 125 revenue circles and 5,424 villages across Assam forcing 2,31,819 people to take shelter in 810 relief camps. At least 11,292 people and 27,086 animals have been evacuated by agencies engaged in rescue operations in the past 24 hours.
Relief materials were distributed to the affected people who have not taken shelters in relief camps through 615 temporary relief distribution centres and points set up by the government.
As per the bulletin, among the worst affected districts are Barpeta with a population of 12,30,721 is reeling under flood waters followed by Darrang where 4,69,241people have been hit and Bajali where 3,38515 have been affected.
According to the bulletin of the Central Water Commission (CWC), Kopili river is flowing above its high flood level in Kampur in Nagaon district and Brahmaputra in Nimatighat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Kamrup, Goalpara and Dhubri. Rivers Puthimari, Pagladia, Beki Barak and Kushiara are also flowing above the danger levels.
Urban flooding was reported from districts Barpeta, Cachar, Darrang, Goalpara, Kamrup (Metro) and Karimganj. Landslides occurred at Kamrup and Karimganj during the day, the bulletin showed.As per the bulletin, 2 embankments were breached, 349 roads and 16 bridges were damaged on Monday.
Large-scale erosion of river banks was reported from districts Baksa, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhubri, Hailakandi, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nalbari, Sonitpur, South Salmara, Tamulpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts, the bulletin showed.
In the Kaziranga National Park, 42 of the total 233 camps have been inundated by the flood water. Eight animals have died due to drowning and vehicle hit so far, while 12, including nine hog deers and three pythons have been rescued by the forest officials.
In Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 14 of the total 25 camps have been inundated. However, there are is no information of animal casualty so far, officials said.
Northeast Frontier Railways has cancelled, short terminated or diverted several trains following the damages done to railway tracks due to flood induced breaches at Chaparmukh Kampur and Chaparmukh, Senchoa sections of Lumding and Harisinga,Tangla section of Rangiya divisions in the state on Tuesday, an NFR official informed.
(With Agency Inputs)
