Assam Floods: 8 more dead, 16.24 lakh affected across 29 Districts

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 3, 2024

The flood situation in Assam remains critical, with eight new deaths reported and 16.25 lakh people affected across 29 districts of the state. The water levels of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are showing a receding trend, according to an official bulletin from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) released on Wednesday.

Of the fresh deaths reported, one occurred in Bhuragaaon, Morigaon, one in Chabua, Dibrugarh, two in Sonitpur, one in Darrang, one in Golaghat, and one in Biswanath. Additionally, one death was reported from Tinsukia district. Three people are also reported missing from Sonitpur, Golaghat, and Sivasagar districts.

The body of Biswajit, who had been missing since July 1, was recovered at Dergaon on Wednesday. Another youth, Suraj Pradhan (22), who had also been missing since July 1, was recovered by a team of SDRF from Kawoimari Bakori Dolon under Gohpur sub-division of Sonitpur district on Wednesday.

Suraj had gone missing following a boat capsize incident in a flooded area. Gorkha Autonomous Demand Council (GADC) President Ram Kumar Pradhan has demanded adequate compensation for the family members of the victims.

Riki Kishan of No. 2 Bhitorpara Village died from a cardiac arrest at a relief camp on Tuesday. The floods have affected 16,25,089 people across 2,800 villages under 105 revenue circles in 29 districts.

39,451.51 hectares of crop area have been submerged by floodwater across Assam. The affected districts include Goalpara, Nagaon, Nalbari, Kamrup, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, South Salmara, Dhubri, Jorhat, Charaideo, Hojai, Karimganj, Sivasagar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Golaghat, Darrang, Biswanath, Cachar, Kamrup Metropolitan, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Chirang, West Karbi Anglong, and Majuli.

The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Neamatighat, Tezpur, Dhubri, Guwahati, and Goalpara. Subansiri is above danger level at Badatighat, Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat, Dhansiri at Numaligarh, Kopili at Kampur and Dharamtul, Barak at AP Ghat, BP Ghat, and Chotabakra, Dhaleswari at Gharmura, Katakhal at Matizuri, and Kushiyara at Karimganj are also flowing above the danger level.

The Burhidihing River is flowing above the highest danger level at Chenimari (Khowang) in Dibrugarh district.

In response to the situation, the state cabinet, in its weekly meeting, decided to provide assistance to the affected people by August 15.

“Due to the prevailing situation, the Assam cabinet has approved the proposal of the state government to release assistance to the affected people by August 15, despite the possibility of a third wave of floods later in July,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

“The assessment will continue even after the second wave of floods,” Sarma added, stating that the government has tasked officials to visit the affected districts over the next three days to review the situation.

State Panchayat Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass has been assigned to visit Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan to Charaideo district, Industries Minister Bimal Bora to Sivasagar and Jorhat districts, Ranoj Pegu to Dhemaji and Lakhimpur, Water Resource Minister Pijush Hazarika to Biswanath, Sonitpur, and Darrang, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog to Golaghat, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora to Nagaon and Morigaon, Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah to Majuli, and Power Minister Nandita Gorlosa to Udalguri district to assess the flood-affected areas.

“All the ministers will be camping for three days in the affected districts to monitor the flood situation,” Sarma said. “A delegation of ministers will also visit Barak Valley to assess the situation. I will personally visit Barak Valley for an extensive review,” Sarma added.

Dhubri is the worst affected district, with 2,23,210 people affected by the deluge, followed by Darrang with 1,83,738 affected and Lakhimpur with 1,66,063 affected. Authorities are currently running 181 relief camps and 334 relief distribution centers in the affected areas to provide assistance to those affected by the floods.

A total of 25,744 inmates, including 4,697 children and 106 pregnant women, have been sheltered in the relief camps. Additionally, 3,61,206 people have received food and other relief materials from the relief distribution centres across the affected areas.

6,372.42 quintals of rice, 1,230.96 quintals of dal, 365.61 quintals of salt, and 27,303.13 litres of mustard oil have been distributed among the affected people. Additionally, 80% of the area of Kaziranga National Park was submerged by floodwaters.

In the flood-affected areas, 11 wild animals tragically drowned, while fortunate forest officials managed to rescue 50 animals. Among the rescued animals are 42 hog deer, 1 Indian hare, 2 infant otters, 2 sambar deer, 1 jungle cat, and 2 scops owls. Additionally, out of 233 forest camps, 173 have been inundated by floodwaters, highlighting the significant impact on wildlife and forest infrastructure in the national park.