Assam Floods: 215 Wild Animals Dead in Kaziranga National Park, 157 Rescued

Guwahati: As many as 215 animals including 13 one-horned rhinos at Kaziranga National Park have died so far at Kaziranga National Park due to floods in Assam, officials said on Sunday. 

Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park said that fatalities include 168 hog deer, 9 rhinos, 2 swamp deer and 5 Wild pigs. The official added that as many as 157 animals have been rescued by the forest administration so far. 

157 Animals Rescued So Far 

"Out of which 137 animals were released after treatment and 7 animals are currently under treatment," Sonali Ghosh said.

According to authorities, only 3 forest camps out of 233 camps of the park are currently under water - one each in Agratoli, Kaziranga and Bagori range.

Meanwhile, an eight-member high-level Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) from different Ministries of the Government of India visited various districts of Assam for assessment of the flood damages from July 18 to 20.

The team was led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mihir Kumar, wrapped up their flood damage assessment after deliberating with the senior officials of Government of Assam at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Dispur on Saturday.

During their visit, they interacted with local officials and visited flood-damaged sites. The meeting on Saturday was chaired by Ajay Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam.

Situation Remains Grim 

Mihir Kumar further elaborated on the assessment done by the team on the grounds and highlighted the severe inundation of agricultural lands that these two waves of floods had caused. 

The flood situation in Assam remains grim, with the death toll rising to more than 90 as per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). More than 5 lakh people across 18 districts are reeling under the deluge, with Assam's Cachar being the worst-hit district.