Nearly 1 million affected, 27 000 displaced as deadly floods worsen in Assam, India

Around 926 059 people have been affected and 27 000 have been displaced by worsening floods in Assam, India, as of June 28, 2020. The death toll due to flooding has also climbed to 20, while 23 more people died in separate landslide incidents since the onset of the monsoon season.

This is the second bout of flooding in the state, which began around June 20, when more than 16 000 people were affected in the districts of Barpeta, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Jorhat, and Sivasagar. Flooding has continued to worsen since then.

The Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that as of Sunday, June 28, the situation has affected nearly one million people in 2 071 villages across 23 districts. 

According to India's Central Water Commission, river levels are at Severe Flood Situation– warning level 2 of 3– in 14 locations across the state, including the Beki River in Barpeta, which is at 45.4 m (149 feet). The level is above the danger mark of 45.1 m (148 feet).

The Brahmaputra River at Goalpara is at 36.6 m (120 feet)– above the danger mark of 36.3 m (119 feet).

Assam: Flood water enters residential areas and houses in Dibrugarh, following heavy rainfall in the state. pic.twitter.com/IHi7mlltkU

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2020

Flood situation in Assam have been rampant currently with the onset of monsoon. Most of the rivers including river Brahmaputra witnessed a rise in water levels flowing above the danger level. Flood in times of COVID is really distressing for the affected people. pic.twitter.com/HOvsRxRWDJ

— Tirtha Prasad Saikia (@Tirthaneads) June 26, 2020

ASDMA also reported fatalities on Sunday– one each in Dhemaji and Udalguri. One person was killed by a landslide in Guwahati. 

The worst affected district was Barpeta, with 135 415 people affected. Other areas hit hard include Dhemaji, Nalbari, Morigaon, and Goalpara, all with 90 000 affected residents. 

Authorities have evacuated up to 27 308 people, who are now staying in 193 relief centers, including 4 889 people in 72 centers in Dibrugarh and 19 689 in 83 camps in Tinsukia.

To give a #DoubleFight against #COVID19 & #Flood, our #HealthWorkers in #Baksa, #Udalguri & #Tinsukia district sail through challenges to conduct #Round2 of #ACSP.#HealthyAssam#AssamFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/QkHcFq90qJ

— NHM_Assam (@nhm_assam) June 27, 2020

Devastating flood situation in Assam. #AssamFloods pic.twitter.com/7Q1TC2JWkq

— Suman Lomga (@suman_lomga) June 27, 2020

As much as 9 303 people have been rescued from flooded places. Approximately 68 000 ha (168 000 acres) of crop areas have been ravaged. 

Since late May, a total of 43 people lost their lives in floods and landslides, including 21 people who died in mudslides in Cachar on June 2.

District administrations have been ordered to speed up relief operations while observing COVID-19 protocols.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts heavy to very heavy rain until July 3.

Disaster Management Report of Barpeta undermines the serious flood scene. River side areas of Barpeta are badly affected from last few days. The situation is not reflected in the report.#AssamStateDisasterManagementAuthorityASDMA#Assam pic.twitter.com/zHAFHPQr9m

— Hasina Ahmed|হাছিনা আহমেদ حسینہ احمد (@HasinaAhmed8) June 28, 2020

আঁহতগুৰি গাঁও পঞ্চায়তৰ অন্তৰ্গত চাপৰি এলেকাত প্ৰতিষেধক প্ৰদানৰ নাৱেৰে ৰাওনা হৈছে স্বাস্থ্য কৰ্মীৰ দল#AssamFloods #Majuli
Reports- Kristi pic.twitter.com/cClYJ5AKfc

— AIR News Guwahati (@airnews_ghy) June 29, 2020

Featured image credit: National Health Mission (NHM) Assam