'Deeply disturbed' Devegowda appeals to PM Modi to pay attention to Assam floods 

'Deeply disturbed' by reports of floods in Assam, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Devegowda on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and central government, urging m to pay urgent attention to situation and offer maximum assistance. 

'y are fighting on two fronts'

In a statement posted on Twitter, former PM said, "It is very unfortunate that people of Assam have to battle floods, and deaths and displacement caused by it when COVID-19 pandemic is raging across nation. y are fighting on two fronts."

He added, " people of Assam, and people of rth East in general, have blessed me and showered a lot of affection when I was Prime Minister and later too. y will be in my prayers. After pandemic abates, god-willing, I will visit state."

More than 4 lakh people affected

Five more persons died in flood-related incidents in Assam and around 40 lakh people in 27 of state's 33 districts are affected, an official bulletin said on Thursday. Two persons lost ir lives in Morigaon district, while one person each died in Lakhimpur, Barpeta and Goalpara districts.

Floodwaters entered vast areas of one new district, affecting over 4 lakh more people since Wednesday, according to daily bulletin of Assam State Disaster Manment Authority (ASDMA). total number of people losing ir lives in this year's flood and landslides in state has gone up to 97 across state. While 71 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides.

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'We are leaving stone unturned'

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal on Thursday visited  flood relief camp at Rising Sun School, Kohora near Kaziranga. While interacting with people at relief camp Chief Minister asserted that his government is leaving stone unturned in safeguarding lives of its people and animals affected during floods. Earlier, Sowal had visited a flood relief camp at Teok.

 Apart from putting human lives in danger, annual floods have so far claimed 76 wild animals including five one-horned Rhiceros. With a vast portion of Kaziranga National Park inundated by floodwaters of Brahmaputra, 82 forest camps are still underwater out of 155 that exist in Eastern Assam Wildlife Division. According to officials, six camps have been vacated following heavy floods.

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(With ncy inputs)