Assam Flood Claims 5 More, Toll Reaches 102

The devastating flood in Assam has claimed five more lives on Sunday, taking the toll to 102. Overall flood situation in at least four districts improved on Sunday but over 24.76 lakh people still remained affected by the deluge in 23 districts. 

The daily flood bulletin issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Sunday evening said Barpeta and Kokrajhar in western Assam reported two deaths each while one person drowned in Morigaon district.

The Brahmaputra was still flowing above the danger level at Nematighat (Jorhat), Tezpur, Goalpara, and Dhubri on Sunday.

It said a total of 2,275 villages remained still underwater on Sunday. 

"The number affected people on Sunday reduced by nearly 2 lakh but the overall flood situation is still grim. Water levels in some areas started receding but most people in the worst affected districts like Dhemaji, Morigaon, Barpeta, Dhubri, and Goalpara are still having tough time. The number of drowning cases this year may be more as people are reluctant and scared to go to the relief camps out of fear of coronavirus infection," according to ASDMA.

The officials are trying very hard to maintain social distancing norms to prevent Coronavirus infection in the relief camps. But it's not possible to maintain social distancing during the rescue operation," said an official in revenue and disaster management authority.

The bulletin said 45,912 people were still taking shelter in 269 relief camps.

Over 85% of Kaziranga National Park still remained inundated while 129 animals including 10 rhinos died till Sunday. Another 157 animals have been rescued so far. 

The flood had already damaged 1,12,667 hectares of crops across Assam so far while embankments, bridges, culverts, and roads have been either eroded or washed away.