67 death, over 42 lakh hit in floods in Assam this year

At least 67 people lost their lives and over 42 lakh people across Assam were affected in three waves of floods this year, the government said today. "Assam has suffered huge losses in terms of lives, property, cropped land, dwelling units and infrastructure in three waves of flood this season... Altogether 67 persons lost their lives in this year's flood," an official release said.

The last deluge wrecked havoc in Kamrup and Goalpara districts, claiming several lives and leaving behind a trail of destruction, it said.The statement said that 42,03,609 people of 4,446 villages across 23 districts have been affected so far, rendering tens of thousands of persons homeless. The authorities have operated 800 relief camps, which housed 7,57,467 inmates, it informed.

The release further said that flood waters affected 1,36,183 houses, including fully damaging 54,088 dwelling units. The perennial natural disaster of the state has damaged 3,72,178.40 hectares of cropped area in 2014 and 10,91,493 livestock have been affected. In terms of infrastructure, the government said 884 roads, 86 RCC bridges, 113 SPT bridges and 125 culverts have been damaged. "A number of breaches have taken places at Ranganadi, Morapagladia, Dohkonia, Brahmajan, Solengi, Chatran, Doulapathar, Nonoi, Brahmaputa, Jiadhal, Buridehing, Krishnai, Damas and Saralbangha embankments," it added.