The flood situation in Assam has reached a critical point, with the death toll rising to 52 and approximately 21.13 lakh people affected across 29 districts in the second wave of flooding. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that six people died in the last 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities to 52.
More than 3.86 lakh people are currently taking shelter in 515 relief camps and distribution centers set up by the administration in 24 flood-hit districts. Additionally, 11,20,165 animals have been affected by the deluge.
The number of affected villages has risen to 3,208, and the floodwaters have led to the death of 31 wild animals in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP), according to the park’s field director. Among the casualties, 23 hog deer drowned, and seven others died under care.
#WATCH | The flood situation in Assam’s Morigaon district remains grim as thousands of people have been affected. According to the District Administration, 194 villages in the district remain inundated pic.twitter.com/IsYIjNXcyK
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024
The affected districts include Goalpara, Nagaon, Nalbari, Kamrup, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, South Salmara, Dhubri, Jorhat, Charaideo, Hojai, Karimganj, Sivasagar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Golaghat, Darrang, Biswanath, Cachar, Kamrup (M), Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, Chirang, Karbi Anglong West, and Majuli.
In Morigaon district, the situation remains grim, with more than 55,000 people affected. Thousands of villagers are taking shelter on embankments and roads after floodwaters entered their homes. The district administration reported that 194 villages are still submerged.
Chandini Devi from Bhuragaon, Morigaon, shared that her family has been living in a makeshift tent on the embankment for the past four days. Dipen Deka, another flood-affected villager, said the floods have submerged the area, causing significant damage to household goods.
Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora visited the flood-affected areas in Morigaon, interacting with displaced people and assessing the situation. He noted that the water level of the Brahmaputra River is receding in Morigaon, but the overall flood situation remains severe.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited flood-affected areas in the state capital, directing the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority to take measures to drain accumulated floodwater. The Chief Minister inspected sluice gates and drainage systems and ordered the construction of a guard wall at the Pandunath Devalaya sluice gate.
The Indian Army has deployed multiple flood relief columns in the affected villages of Sivaguri, Dhemaji district, to assist in the relief efforts.
Amid the crisis, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized the BJP government for repeatedly awarding embankment projects to contractors who have failed to deliver quality work, suggesting that the government’s actions are not aimed at finding a long-term solution to the flood problem.
As Assam battles severe flooding, the state’s administration, along with local and national authorities, continues to work tirelessly to provide relief and support to the affected populations.