Assam floods affect 21 districts, disrupts wildlife and kills 2 children

The flood situation in Assam is getting worse as 21 districts of 34 were hit with severe rainfall killing two children and affecting over 3.63 lakh people on Monday (August 30). As per the reports of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one child each was washed away in floodwaters in Morigaon and Barpeta districts.

According to the officials, over 1.30 lakh people were affected in the Lakhimpur district followed by 65,000 in Majuli, 41,400 in Darrang, 24,300 in Biswanath, 21,300 in Dhemaji, and 17,800 in Sivasagar district.

Crops worth 30,333 hectares have been destroyed and 950 villages have been affected till now as per the ASDMA officials. To provide shelter, 44 relief camps were opened to the flood-affected men, women and children. All shelters were created following the COVID-19 protocols. 

Not only humans but the floods have affected the wildlife of the state making as much as 70 per cent area of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, spanning Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Karbi Anglong districts inundated. According to an official, a four-hog deer was also killed due to the floods.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed that till significant improvement in the flood situation, heavy vehicles would not be allowed to ply through it. Accordingly, all heavy vehicles would be diverted to alternative roads.

(Agency Inputs)