In Assam, floods continue to devastate life and property, death toll 87
New Delhi: The flood situation in Assam has worsened with large parts of the state remaining inundated in the monsoon deluge, on Tuesday. The seasonal floods, which started about a month ago, has so far claimed 87 lives in the state, according to officials.
Fifteen out of the state’s 24 districts are the worst affected. They are: Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, South Sakmara.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 24 lakh people have been affected and crops in 109,600 hectares in the 24 districts have been damaged.
Apart from the toll on human life and property, a large number of domesticated and wildlife animals have also perished in the floods. The Assam forest department and ASDMA said at least 116 animals have been killed in floods and 143 animals rescued. The dead animals include several one-horned Indian rhinoceros.
The flood situation in the Kaziranga National Park, which is the home to more than 2,200 Indian rhinos, remains grim. Other biodiversity hotspots, like the Manas National Park, Orang National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Tinsukia Wildlife Sanctuary, etc, which are home to many species of animals, including endangered and threatened ones, including the Indian rhino and Indian tiger, are also reeling under the floods.
Each and every life matters.
— Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (@kaziranga_) July 14, 2020
The amount of resilience our animals are showing every year is incredible and unimaginable.
They are already under tremendous stress.
Please don’t disturb them.
Wildanimals need “NOT SYMPATHY BUT RESPECT ”#Respectwildlife #KAZIRANGA #flood pic.twitter.com/7wduRQ7StD
The ASDMA said apart from the Brahmaputra, eight other major rivers – Beki, Dhansiri, Gaurang, Jia Bharali, Kopili, Kushiyara Sankish, and Siang – are flowing above the danger mark in 12 districts of the state.
Meghalaya floods worsen
The flood situation in Meghalaya has worsened in the last few days. Five children and a teenage girl have reported died in the state’s West Garo Hills district.
The Centre has assured all assistance to the state. The Union home minister, Amit Shah, called the loss of life “very disturbing”. The West Garo Hills district includes plain areas that are connected to Assam’s flooded districts of Dhubri, Goalpara and South Salmara Mankachar.
UN offers help
Meanwhile, the United Nations has offered its help to India to deal with the floods in the northeast, if required.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said, “Nearly four million people have been displaced in Assam, India and neighbouring Nepal due to heavy flooding from monsoon rains, with the death toll at 189. The United Nations stands ready to support the government of India if required.”
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