Guwahati, 22 July (HS): The flood situation in Assam has turned critical following incessant rainfall across the state and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the death toll has risen to 34, with 21 deaths reported on July 21 alone.

A total of 564,660 people in 16 districts have been affected by the floods. As many as 872 villages under 44 revenue circles remain inundated, while 24,210.35 hectares of agricultural land are submerged.

Major rivers, including the Brahmaputra at Nimatighat, Burhidihing at Chenimari and Khowang, and Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh, are flowing above the danger level. The Dikhow and Disang rivers are also flowing above their highest flood levels.

The affected districts include Golaghat, Kamrup, Hojai, Dibrugarh, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Nagaon, Charaideo, Kamrup (Metro), Jorhat, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Lakhimpur and Sivasagar.

The state government has set up 71 relief camps and 202 relief distribution centres, where 12,284 people are taking shelter, while over 100,318 non-camp beneficiaries have received relief assistance.

Among the 21 deaths reported on July 21, 13 occurred in Sivasagar, five in Charaideo, two in Golaghat and one in Jorhat.

The floods have also affected 185,029 livestock, while 107 animals have been washed away. In Jorhat district, 15 pucca houses were partially damaged.

Rescue operations are being carried out jointly by the SDRF, NDRF, police, Fire and Emergency Services, local administration, Civil Defence volunteers and other agencies. A total of 89 medical teams, 50 rescue boats, and two helicopters have been deployed, particularly in severely affected Sivasagar district. So far, 6,101 people and 20 animals have been rescued to safety.

The government has distributed large quantities of relief materials, including rice, pulses, salt, mustard oil and cattle feed, while monitoring extensive damage to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure across the flood-hit regions.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash