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More than 1.4 million affected as flood situation remains severe in Assam, India

more-than-1-4-million-affected-as-flood-situation-remains-severe-in-assam-india

The flood situation remains grim in Assam, northeast India, with more than 1.4 million people already affected as of Thursday, July 2, 2020. Six more fatalities due to flooding were reported on Wednesday evening, July 1, adding to the death toll of 33; casualties due to landslides also rose to 24.

Rivers have been bursting in the state since June 20, affecting more than 1.4 million residents in 2 235 villages across 23 districts. 

India’s Central Water Commission said rivers in 10 locations across the state were at "Severe Flood Situation" as of June 30. 

The worst-hit district is Barpeta, now with 486 709 people bearing the brunt of the floods from 135 415 two days earlier. 

South Salamara has 195 312 affected, while other badly-hit areas include Dhemaji, Nalbari, Morigaon, and Gaolpara– all with 70 000 to 100 000 people affected.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 25 461 people are staying in relief camps as of June 30– more than half of the evacuees are in Tinsukia district, where 49 camps are accommodating 14 699 people.

Rescue teams had so far rescued more than 4 200 stranded people. 

YouTube video

YouTube video

On Wednesday evening, six more people were killed by floods, taking the death toll to 33. The fatalities were reported in Dhubri, Nagaon, Barpeta, and Nalbari.

The landslide death toll also rose to 24 after one man in Cachar died due to electrocution when an uprooted tree fell during a mudslide, the State Disaster Management Authority said.

Flooding has also impacted more than 87 000 ha (215 000 acres) of crops. Severe damage was reported to buildings, roads, and infrastructure in various districts, including two flooded schools in the Jorhat area.

While floodwaters in Udalguri and Kamrup showed signs of receding on July 1, water levels remain constant in other districts, including in South Salmara, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Nalbari, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Kamrup, Morigaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia.

Featured image credit: Suraj Bezboruah

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