Assam FLoods

By Editor: Adhya Kalra

 

Around 9.3 lakh people from 2071 villages of 23 districts have suffered due to the massive floods in Assam. 20 people have been killed since the floods hit Assam and 23 more were found dead due to landslides. The water level in the river Brahmaputra and other in the northeast has risen tremendously and above the danger level due to the continuous rainfall.

 

In the last 24 hours, civil defence, SRDF, Inland Water Transport Departments and district administration has displaced more than 9000 residents in Five districts.

 

Lakhimpur, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Hojai, West Karbi Anglong, Nalbari,  Biswanath, Barpeta, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, South Salmara, Morigaon, Udalguri, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Golaghat, Kamrup, and Tinsukia. Are the worst-hit areas as reported by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).  Carpets district in Assam has been severely affected by the floods, with 1.35 lakh people, followed by Dhemaji with around 1 lakh lives and Nalbari with more than 960000 civilians hit by this disaster.  

 

While over 9.26 people have been affected by the floods, over 68,806 hectares of cropland are also damaged. Camp reliefs were set up all over and around 27,308 people were placed under 193 flood relief shelters. According to the information received, a total of 1,206 quintiles of rice, dal and salt and 2,196 litres of mustard oil plus other essential items such as baby food, matchboxes, candles, tarpaulin, snacks, milk, drinking water mosquito coil and biscuit have been distributed to the ones in need by the administration. But where the main priority is to keep people safe and distribute enough food supplies, there is another obstacle of social distancing which has to be kept in mind and followed to prevent the COVID-19 chain.

 

National Disaster Authority Management (NDMA) circulated the list of do’s and don’ts among the citizens through social media. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs ) are too actively taking part in the situation. IAG Assam and Sphere India are closely monitoring the situation whereas Indian Red Cross Society Volunteers are helping by rescuing people and providing tarpaulin sheets for the shelters.

 

With the minimum loss to lives, property such as roads, bridges, embarkments culverts and other infrastructures have been severely damaged at numerous places in Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Udalguri, Barpeta Kamrup, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Tinsukia, Morigaon, Hojai, Sivasagar, Majuli, and West Karbi Anglong districts.

 

The incessant downpour from past few days has also led to the entrance of floodwater in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. A forest official informed that if the water level continues to rise at this rate, 80 percent of the park will be submerged in the water. While Highlands shelters have been provided to the animals including the famous one-horned rhinos, buffalos, elephants and deers, some animals were also seen crossing the National Highway 37, passing through the National park. Therefore, the speed limit has been restricted for the vehicles passing through the National Highway.

 

The flood has also created problems for 15,27,832 domestic animals and poultry all over the state. Accompanying the floods, bank erosion is another problem currently pertaining in Assam.

 

Taking a stock of the situation in Assam, Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted “Spoke to Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the alarming situation in Brahmaputra river and landslides near Guwahati. All possible help has been assured to state. Modi government stands firmly with the people of Assam.” He has also assured full help and support to the people affected and the central government going through a rough time while dealing with the floods.