Assam struggles to remain afloat, 5 more die, 36 lakh affected; IMD forecasts more rain

Five more people died in flood-related incidents in Assam on Friday while millions are affected almost across state, even as IMD forecast increased monsoon activity over rrn and rastern parts of country that can "accentuate" problem.

IMD said rainfall distribution and intensity is very likely to increase over rrn and rastern parts of country from Saturday and Sunday, respectively, due to favourable meteorological conditions.

“It may accentuate existing flood conditions and also lead to landslides in some areas of rastern states and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim,” IMD said in a press release.

In Assam, while five people died, around 36 lakh people across 28 districts are affected by flood, an official bulletin said.

One person each died in Dhubri, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Goalpara and Kamrup districts, Assam State Disaster Manment Authority (ASDMA) said in its bulletin.

More than 39.8 lakh people in 27 of 33 districts in state were affected by deluge on Thursday, it said.

total number of people losing ir lives in this year's flood and landslides in state has gone up to 102. While 76 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides, bulletin said.

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union government to pay urgent attention to situation in flood-devastated Assam and offer maximum aid to state. Dalai Lama has also expressed his sadness at loss of lives and devastation of properties due to flooding in parts of Assam.

Buddhist spiritual leader has written a letter to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal appreciating relief and rescue efforts of government and expressing solidarity with suffering masses.

Arsenal Football Club also said it stood by people of Assam during this trying time.

In a short video mess posted in its Instagram account, English football club appealed to people of Assam to "stay strong".

On social media, people shared videos and photos from flood-hit areas. Some of m showed floodwaters gushing through streets and alleys, threatening to wash away everything on its away.

Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls is very likely over rthwest India during 18th -20th July, and over rast and adjoining east India during 18th -21st July, IMD said. Isolated extremely heavy falls are also very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya during 19th- 21st July and over Arunachal Pradesh during 19th-20th July, IMD said.

Isolated parts of Uttar Pradesh witnessed light to moderate rain and thundershowers on Friday, meteorological department in Luckw said.

Thunderstorm and lightning occurred at some places in western districts of state. wearman has warned rain and thundershowers at a number of places in state on Saturday.

IMD also said thunderstorm accompanied with lightning is very likely at a few places over Bihar during over next two days.

In its bulletin issued at 8 pm, IMD also said moderate to severe thunderstorm and lightning are very likely over Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan and rth coastal Andhra Pradesh during next 12 hours.