Guwahati, 09 August (HS): The flood situation in Assam continues to affect several parts of the state, with 1,47,376 people in 12 districts still impacted. The state government is planning to reopen schools from August 10, but several schools remain covered in mud, while flood-affected people are still taking shelter in schools located in elevated areas.

Upper Assam districts, particularly Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, continue to witness severe disruption to normal life. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) data released on August 8, the Dhansiri River at Numaligarh and Golaghat and the Kushiyara River at Sribhumi were flowing above the danger mark.

One more body was recovered from Golaghat district on Saturday, taking the flood-related death toll in Assam to 98.

Floodwaters continue to affect 12 districts — Sonitpur, Nagaon, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Hojai, Darrang, Jorhat, Dhemaji, Charaideo, Karbi Anglong, Lakhimpur and Biswanath. A total of 460 villages across 30 revenue circles have been affected, while 10,599.89 hectares of agricultural land remain submerged.

The state government has kept 94 relief facilities operational, including 53 relief camps and 41 relief distribution centres. As many as 8,568 people are taking shelter in relief camps, while 13,479 non-camp residents are receiving relief from distribution centres.

Floodwaters have also affected 39,959 animals, including 15,753 large animals, 14,465 small animals and 9,741 poultry. Sixteen large, small and poultry animals were reported washed away in Karbi Anglong district.

Sivasagar has reported extensive damage to houses and other structures. The district has recorded 145 fully damaged kucha houses and 31 fully damaged pucca houses. In addition, 227 kucha and 97 pucca houses have suffered partial damage. Sixteen other huts and 238 cattle sheds have also been damaged.

The SDRF, Army and paramilitary forces, NDRF, DDRF, Air Force, police, Fire and Emergency Services, circle offices and local administration, Civil Defence personnel and trained volunteers continue to be engaged in relief and rescue operations.

The state government deployed 55 medical teams in flood-affected areas on Saturday, while 10 boats were engaged in relief operations. Rescue teams evacuated 135 people and five cattle by boat to safer locations.

Relief materials distributed among flood-affected people included 223.294 quintals of rice, 40.137 quintals of pulses, 18.5028 quintals of salt and 896.38 litres of mustard oil. Animal feed comprising 807.113 quintals of wheat bran and 31.6 quintals of rice bran was also distributed.

Floods have caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the state. The government is continuously reviewing the situation and assessing repair and restoration requirements. Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and several state ministers are holding meetings with officials and monitoring relief measures to provide all possible assistance to affected people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash