Assam Floods: Over 24 lakh people affected in 24 districts; NDRF conducts evacuation missions

The floods in Assam have affected 24 districts, causing damages to 1,09,600.53 hectares of crop area and affecting over 24 lakh people in the state, according to the flood situation report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in its latest evacuation mission, rescued 56 people from flood-affected areas in Matia in Goalpara on Monday. Incessant rainfall since the past three days in the state has led to water levels rising in the Brahmaputra and its tributary Krishnai river in the region.

The overflowing of the rivers has severely affected the life of locals in Hawra Ghat village, leaving many locals marooned. An NDRF team, however, reached the flood-affected village and transported the locals to safe places.

The team is also assisting the district administration in the distribution of masks, screening inundated areas, and other guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 1,450 locals have been evacuated during this monsoon season by the 1st Battalion of NDRF Guwahati.

Around 12 search and rescue teams of NDRF are deployed in Assam in districts, including Jorhat, Bongaigaon, Kamrup Metro, Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara, Golaghat, Cachar, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, and Tinsukia.

Besides four search and rescue teams of NDRF have been earmarked to tackle the flood situation. The NDRF control room is also keeping a close watch in other flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, ASDMA added that the rising water levels have affected a total of 2,254 villages. The government has set up 276 relief camps and 192 relief distribution centers across the districts to help the people affected by the floods in the state.

Moreover, 113 animals have died in the Kaziranga national park due to floods in the state. The authorities, however, have rescued 140 animals.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal late on Monday inspected an embankment damaged by rainfall and increased water flow in the Buradiya river at the Pokhura village of Nalbari district. During his visit, he also met locals affected by floods in the state.

Speaking to news agency ANI, the Chief Minister thanked the people of the state for showing great courage in times of these floods and also expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending help to the state.

"People of the state have shown great courage in times of these floods. They have supported every step of the government, I thank them for this. We will successfully overcome this challenge. I also thank PM Modi for his support," he said.

He had earlier said that the government is releasing ex-gratia within 48 hours to the kin of those who have lost their lives in the floods.