Flood situation still critical in Assam; 114 animals dead in Kaziranga

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 6, 2024

A total of 114 wild animals have died by drowning in Kaziranga National Park, while more than 95 have been rescued by forest officials from the water. Currently, 40 per cent of the area of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is still submerged.

The flood situation is still critical in the state, an official bulletin of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.

Of 233 forest camps in Kaziranga, 66 are still under floodwater. The flood caused many animals to leave the park for higher ground towards Karbi Hills.

This movement has been observed along NH37, which passes through the National Park.

To protect wild animals, all passenger vehicles, both private and commercial, are required to move at a regulated speed, escorted by police and forest staff every half hour. Additionally, the movement of commercial heavy vehicles through the park has been restricted.

The report stated that six more people were killed in the floods taking the total to 58.

2 deaths have been reported from Mahmora in Charaidepo district, one each from Matia in Goalpara district, Naduar in Sonitpur district, Doomdooma in Tinsukia district and Mayong in Morigaon district.

23,96,648 people from 3,535 villages under 107 revenue circles of 29 districts are reeling under floods.

Dhubri is the worst affected with 7,97,918 people followed by Cachar with 1,75,231 and Darrang with 16,3,218 people affected by the deluge.

The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Neamatighat, Tezpur, Dhubri and Goalpara, Burhidihing at Chenimari (Khowang), Dikhou at Sivasagar, Disang at Nanglamuraghat, Dhansiri at Numaligarh, Jia-Bharali at Nt Road Crossing, Kopili at Dharamtul, Sankosh at Golokganj, Barak at AP Ghat, B P Ghat and Kushiyara is flowing above the danger level at Karimganj.

Of 35 districts of the state, 29 are under floodwater- Dhubri, Cachar, Hailakandi, Kamrup, Goalpara, Charaideo, Biswanath, Barpeta, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, South Salmara, Nagaon, Morigaon, Karimganj, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Darrang, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Karbi Anglong, Tinsukia, Majuli and Kamrup (M).

293 relief camps and 284 relief distribution centres were opened for the affected people.

53,429 affected people took shelter at the relief camps while 4,72,899 non-camp inmates have received food and other relief materials from the authorities.

The authorities distributed 7324.32 quintals of rice, 1367.98 quintals of dal, 413.19 quintals of salt and 37815.19 litres of mustard oil among the affected people.

Rescuers of NDRF, SDRF and state police continued their rescue operation in various places and a total of 245 people have been evacuated from various places across the state.

15,49,161 domestic animals were also affected by the deluge.