The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Wednesday, with overnight rainfall raising concerns of fresh flooding in low-lying areas. The death toll from this year’s floods has risen to 89, while more than 1.22 lakh people continue to be affected across five districts.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda is scheduled to visit the flood-affected areas on Wednesday to assess the situation and review relief and rehabilitation measures with state officials.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district continued to flow in a “severe flood situation” on Wednesday morning.
“Due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Dhansiri at Numaligarh, citizens are advised to stay away from the river,” an ASDMA spokesperson said.
The latest ASDMA flood bulletin stated that two more people died in the past 24 hours, one each in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts, taking the total number of flood-related deaths this year to 89.
More than 1.22 lakh people remain affected by the floods, with Sivasagar being the worst-hit district, where nearly 60,000 people have been impacted. Charaideo follows with over 31,000 affected, while Jorhat has reported nearly 20,000 affected people.
Authorities are operating 55 relief camps and distribution centres across four districts, providing shelter to 17,857 displaced people. Medical and veterinary teams, along with other agencies, are continuing rescue and relief operations.
The floods have submerged 15,342.92 hectares of agricultural land and affected 26,575 livestock and poultry animals.
The ASDMA said the deluge has also caused extensive damage to embankments, roads, houses, schools and other public infrastructure in several parts of the state.
(With inputs from PTI)