The flood in Assam wreaked havoc as it claimed 70 lives affecting more than 13 lakh people across 2,015 villages in 24 districts. While 44 people lost their lives in flood, 26 died in the landslide which triggered in different parts of the state due to incessant rainfall.
At the time when people are more scared and become cautious to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the flood hit people have been neglected.
According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority, over 12.97 lakh people are affected in 2,015 villages and localities across 24 of the state's 33 districts. Standing crop affected was in areas of 82,546 hectares.
The floodwater also breached river embankments and damaged bridges and roads in some districts. Almost all major rivers such as Brahmaputra, Burhi Dehing, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Puthimari, Beki, Kopili and Sankosh were in a spate. The Brahmaputra was flowing above two feet of the danger level at several places.
The ASDMA set up 224 relief camps in 16 districts where 21,071 of the marooned were taking shelter. The NDRF and SDRF personnel are engaged in rescuing people besides the locals.
At the flooded Kaziranga National Park, 41 animals died so far due to various reasons including drowning and vehicle hits. The animals included one rhino, one wild buffalo, one swamp deer, three wild boars and 35 hog deer. The incidents of vehicle hits occurred on a national highway that passes beside the park.
After taking stock of the situation at a meeting on Sunday, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal instructed the Ministers, MPs and MLAs to visit the affected areas and assess the damage. He also directed that embankments, damaged by the flood, be repaired on a war-footing.
