Assam floods: Death toll rises to six, over four lakh affected

GUWAHATI: The first wave of flood in Assam took a worse turn with three more deaths reported on Saturday, taking the death toll to six in three days.

Even as the flood remained confined to seven districts for last two days, population affected by the deluge has increased to 4.25 lakh. The flood-hit districts are Hojai, Karbi Anglong East, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar--- spread over central, upper Assam and Barak valley. Till Friday, 3,86,570 people were affected in these districts.

Over one lakh flood-displaced people have taken shelter in 213 relief camps in the seven districts.

A total of 3,292 hectare cropland area went under water in seven districts.

A large population of livestock, involving a total of 218,925 of big and small animals and poultry were hit by the deluge.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Brahmaputra at Neamatighat in Jorhat district, Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, Jia Bharali river in Sonitpur district, Kopili river at Kampur in Nagaon, Barak river at AP Ghat in Cachar district and Badarpurghat in Cachar, Katakhal at Matizuri in Hailakandi district and Kushiyara in Karimganj districts were flowing above danger level.

ASDMA officials said a total of 340 marooned persons were evacuated by the personnel of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force from Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar districts. A total of 15 boats were deployed in these districts for rescue operations.

On the other hand, train services between Guwahati, Silchar and Tripura’s capital Agartala remained suspended for the last three days following ongoing restoration work of tracks, damaged by landslides along the Lumding-Badarpur railway section. At least 13 trains connecting Silchar, Guwahati and Agartala have been cancelled.

“Restoration works are still in progress near Bandarkhal (along the Lumding-Badarpur section). Train traffic will remain suspended till the tracks are restored. We will notify about any fresh cancellation of trains,” Northeast Frontier Railway CPRO, Pranav Jyoti Sharma said.

ASDMA said landslides were also reported from Kamakhya Nursery, Birubari, Nizarapar and Kahilipara areas of the city, but there was no damage to property or casualty.