Assam Flood: Death Toll Rises to 73

MONOJ GOGOI

Photos by the staff of People's Action for Development (PAD)

Assam has been reeling under severe to extreme floods for last one week. Out of total 35 districts in the state, 33 districts have been facing floods in various intensities, affecting a population of 42,28,157 in total till Sunday. The death toll, due to floods and erosion, rose to 73. The major rivers in the state were still flowing above the danger levels. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) still warned large excess rainfall for next 48 hours in the state.

Many flood victims said that this was an unprecedented flood and never experienced in their lifetimes. Some said their areas faced inundated for the first time and never occurred flood there earlier. This year’s catastrophic floods brought untold miseries to millions in state by submerging large swathe of land including houses, cultivable lands, standing crops, affecting livestock, disrupting road communications (as roads submerged and washed away), electricity supply etc in many places. No high rise places were found by the flood victims to take shelter and keep their cattle and other essentials in their vicinity. Most of the people stayed in water without food and potable water. The women, elderly persons, patients, babies and children including pregnant women were the worst suffers.

According to government report, 1147 relief camps were set up across the state where 1,86,424 inmates had been taking shelter. Huge number of animals were also affected and 107370.43 hectares of arable land were submerged.

In the flood wildlife in Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary also affected.

Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force) SDRF personnel were deployed in search and rescue operation. Although relief materials were provided, many alleged that it was not adequate and provided on time. On the other hand a section of flood affected people claimed the were still not getting any support from government.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited several affected areas to take the stock of the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah assured Assam government to provide all possible support to tackle the situation.

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