Assam flood situation worsens: 1 dead, nearly 3 lakh affected in 11 districts

flood situation in Assam worsened on Wednesday with one person losing his life and nearly three lakh people suffering in deluge across 11 districts.

According to daily flood report of Assam State Disaster Manment Authority (ASDMA), one person was killed at Rongjuli in Goalpara district.

At present, around 2.72 lakh persons are affected due to flood in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Hojai, Darrang, Barpeta, Nalbari, Goalpara, West Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, it said.

Goalpara is worst-hit district with 2.15 lakh people affected, followed by Nalbari with over 22,000 people hit and Nagaon with nearly 11,000 persons.

Till Tuesday, around 1.95 lakh people were affected in seven districts.

NDRF and SDRF have rescued nine people in last 24 hours in Goalpara, while 172.53 quintals of rice, dal, salt and 804.42 litres of mustard oil have been distributed along with tarpaulin and or essential items.

Currently, Brahmaputra is flowing above danger mark at Nimatighat in Jorhat, while Jia Bharali at NH Ro Crossing in Sonitpur and Puthimari at NH Ro Crossing in Kamrup.

At present, 321 vills are under water and 2,678 hectares of crop areas have been damd, ASDMA said.

authorities are running 57 relief camps and distribution centres in five districts where 16,720 people are taking shelter.

Embankments, ros, bridges, culverts and many or infrastructure have been damd at various places in Golaghat, Barpeta, Nalbari, Dhemaji, Majuli, Hojai, Sonitpur, Chirang, Karimganj, Nagaon, Bongaigaon, Dima Hasao, Baksa and Lakhimpur.

Massive erosions have been witnessed at various places in Majuli, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Chirang, Baksa, Biswanath and South Salmara districts, ASDMA said.

While 70 people were affected by erosion in Biswanath, Mander Gaon ME School was washed away in South Salmara.

report furr said that at least 30 houses were damd in landslides in four vills of Dima Hasao, affecting 72 persons.

Because of landslide in district, movement of three 'Shramik Special' trains were disrupted on Tuesday night until tracks were repaired.

" three trains were bound for Agartala and Jiribam in Manipur. We stopped m at Guwahati and Lumding stations. After lines were cleared, movement started again at 11:30 am today," rast Frontier Railway Public Relations Officer Nripen Bhattacharyya said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal Wednesday directed officials to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing, hand washing and wearing of masks are maintained at flood relief camps so that community spre of disease can be contained during season.

chief minister, reviewing flood situation in state with officials of ASDMA and senior officers of or departments, directed Deputy Commissioners of all districts to keep soap and water for hand washing, masks for inmates and properly sanitise flood relief camps.

He also directed district ministrations to ensure that irregularities take place while distributing relief materials and also release ex gratia payments within 48 hours to next of kin of those who lose ir life in floods.

He also instructed Deputy Commissioners to regularly review relief distribution system so that accountability can be fixed, if any irregularity takes place, and keep an information board in all relief camps showing details of how much relief materials have been received by every individual inmate.

Centre has released Rs 386 crore as first installment this year to State Disaster Relief Fund and chief minister emphasised on its proper utilisation for providing succour to those affected by floods.

Sowal also directed power department to cut off supply to transformers submerged in floods so that accidental electrocution takes place.

chief minister also directed Public Works Department (PWD) to take steps for repairing 157 ros damd by floods in eight districts.

He also directed Inland Water Department to take precautionary measures to avoid boat mishaps during rainy season and strictly enforce wearing of masks by crews and passengers of ferries and boats.

Chief Minister instructed veterinary department to provide cattle feed to domestic animals in flood-affected areas and also provide food to wild animals in Kaziranga National Park and or such flood affected wildlife sanctuaries.

Meanwhile, Sowal called on Goverr Jagish Mukhi and apprised him about prevailing flood situation in state.

chief minister also apprised goverr of steps taken by government to deal with COVID-19 situation, especially in view of recent surge in number of positive cases.

y also discussed ways to increase ecomic activities during lockdown and strengn state's fiscal health.

Sowal also drew goverr's attention to torrential rains that have created a flood situation, submerging seven districts of state, official said.

He also apprised goverr of several welfare schemes and ir implementation for benefits of all sections of society.