Assam Flood: 70 Dead; Over 21 Lakh Affected
Around 70 people died, dozens are missing, and around 21 lakh people have been displaced by the flood in Assam.
India's north-eastern state of Assam is facing one of the worst floods of the decade because of cloud bursts & constant heavy rainfall which has been going on since the end of May.
There were floods in the end of May and starting of June, then again in mid June and then end of June and starting of July which has been the worst. All major rivers including the Digaru River, the Kollong River, and the Brahmaputra River are flowing above the red-danger level causing the agricultural land villages to submerge across the state.
29 districts out of 35 administrative districts in Assam have been affected by the flood. The worst-hit districts are Dhubri (2.23 lakh people suffering), followed by Darrang (1.84 lakh people suffering) and Lakhimpur (1.66 lakh people suffering.)
According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), around 70 people have died in flood, landslide & storm collectively, dozens are missing & around 21 - 23 lakh people have been displaced because of the flood as of 5th July 2024. Relief efforts are continuously being carried out to support the displaced population.
Nearly 39,338 people have been given refuge in relief camps set up by Assam authorities. The authorities are distributing relief materials including groceries, clothes, blankets & other essentials to over 7 lakh 30 thousand people who haven't evacuated their homes.
The famous Kaziranga National Park, known for the Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, too, has been majorly affected by the flood. So far, 129 wild animals, including a rhino calf and hog deer have drowned in the flood. The forest authorities have successfully rescued around 75 different wild animals including Hog Deers, Sambar Deers, Rhinos, Otters, Owls, Indian Hare, Jungle Cats, and from the park Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the flood-affected areas and later conducted a meeting with all District Commissioners on the situation on 4th July 2024.
He has ordered all the affected districts to grant relief according to the rules, provide accurate information to the headquarters, and complete the medical & physical rehabilitation of all the affected residents & animals before 15th August 2024. He has also asked cabinet ministers to camp in the flood-affected areas to personally supervise the situations and orders till 8th July 2024.
Other northeastern states including Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh are also affected by heavy rainfall causing heavy water flow in rivers & landslides. Manipur’s 2 major rivers too are flowing above their respective danger marks and flooded several places in Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’/‘high alert’ for Assam & all northeastern states till 10th July 2024. On 5th July 2024, CM Sarma put the state and national disaster relief teams on standby to help people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured Assam of providing the federal government's complete support & help in case of a crisis.
