Flood waters continued to wreak havoc across Assam on Sunday with more areas getting inundated and many more people being uprooted from their homes.
Four more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, two from Jorhat and one each from Barpeta and Dhubri districts taking the total number of flood-related deaths to 11.
Nearly 90% of Kaziranga National Park, the largest habitat of one-horned rhinos, has been inundated by flood waters and most wild animals are seeking safety at higher grounds in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district.
“Seven hog deer have been killed due to vehicle hits while trying to cross the highway to safer grounds and seven others have been rescued. Many animals are taking shelter in the artificial highlands constructed within the park,” said P Sivakumar, director of the park.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, over 2.64 million people in 28 of the state’s 33 districts have been affected by the second wave of floods this year.
A total of 3,181 villages in 103 revenue circles across the state have been affected and standing crop in 87,607 hectares damaged. Over 270 houses in 10 districts have been damaged completely or partially due to floods.
Over 16,500 people who have been uprooted from their homes are taking shelter in 327 relief camps in 20 districts of the state. On Sunday, 7,833 people were evacuated by NDRF and SDRF teams.
Flood waters have also damaged or submerged 93 roads across the state.
The Brahmaputra was flowing over the danger level at five places including Nematighat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri.
Other rivers like Burhidihing, Subansiri, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Kapili, Puthimari, Beki, Barak, Katakhal and Kushiyara were also flowing over the red mark at several places.
With the Indian Meteorological Department warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Assam and other states in the northeast on Monday as well, the situation is unlikely to improve soon.
First Published:
Jul 14, 2019 21:53 IST
Source: HindustanTimes