Fresh floods in 5 Assam districts, 72,000 people hit

Asia

A fresh wave of flood inundated several places in five districts of the state on Sunday, affecting thousands of people. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), nearly 72,000 people in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Morigaon and Nagaon districts have been hit by the latest flood wave.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams fanned out in different flood-affected areas for evacuation of marooned people and distribution of relief materials.

NDRF said incessant rainfall and rising water level in Jarashar river caused heavy flooding in Sonitpur district. The 1st battalion of NDRF evacuated 753 marooned villagers to safer places in several villages of Sonitpur. Eight NDRF teams, comprising 16 deep divers, 32 boats and other life-saving aids have been deployed in Barpeta, Dhubri, Cachar, Sonitpur and Kamrup districts. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has already directed state water resources minister Keshav Mahanta to visit the affected areas and assess the damage caused and supervise the relief and rescue operations.

Two rivers still in spate: ASDMA

At present, 21 relief camps have been set up in five districts, where about 100 people have taken shelter. ASDMA also said the Brahmaputra in Jorhat district and its tributaries (Dhansiri in Golaghat district and Jia Bharaliin Sonitpur district) are flowing above danger level asof Sunday.

The latest spell comes at a time when the state is still recovering from the third flood wave this year.

Source: timesofindia