#AssamFloods: 7 dead, over 1.4 million affected as situation worsens
What's the story
The flood situation worsened in Assam as four more districts were submerged on Saturday, taking the death toll to seven. Over 1.4 million people have been marooned. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said 25 districts were affected. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to take stock of the situation and assured Center's help to deal with the floods.
Details
20,000 people living in relief camps: ASDMA official
The ASDMA on Saturday said that a total of 1,405,711 people across 25 districts of the state have been affected by the floods. "Over 20,000 people are living in 234 relief camps opened by the district administration," an official of the ASDMA said. The official also added a number of farmers were also affected as 51,722 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged.
Districts, Rivers
Almost all rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are in spate
According to ASDMA, the districts that have been affected by the deluge include Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Morigaon, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Darrang, Goalpara, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia. Almost all rivers in the state, including the Brahmaputra, Burhidihing, Dhansiri, Desang, Jia Bharali, Kopili, Puthimari, Beki, Katakhal, and Kushiyara were in full spate as they crossed the danger mark at many places.
Information
NDRF, SDRF teams deployed; Army's assistance sought in Baksa
The ASDMA also said that NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in the affected areas to carry out relief operations. Officials said the Indian Army's assistance was sought to assist the personnel of NDRF and SDRF in rescuing the affected people in Baksa district.
Kaziranga National Park
70% of Kaziranga National Park's area inundated: Director
Meanwhile, the water level in Kaziranga National Park, which is spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, has also risen due to flood water. The Park's Director P Sivakumar said that 70% of its area is inundated. Animals in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are reportedly rushing to higher lands. Sivakumar said the animals are moving to Karbi Anglong.
Statement
Staffs put on alert to deal with the flood: Official
Sailen Pande, PRO of Assam Forest and Environment Minister, said, "This year, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Assam had taken precautions to deal with the flood." "Over 70% of the (Kaziranga National) Park has been submerged with flood waters. All staffs have been put on alert to deal with the flood," the official added.
Twitter Post
Here's what Pande said on the flood situation
Sailen Pande: Over 70% of the park has been submerged with flood waters. All staffs have been put on alert to deal with the flood. During flood, rhinos become vulnerable to get poached so Assam govt has deployed special rhino protection force this year. https://t.co/oOrxWcAGYM
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2019