Flood situation shows marginal improvement in Asom

Guwahati, Aug 2 (UNI) After 18 days of incessant rains and resultant flood that claimed 20 lives so far, there are signs of marginal improvement in the situation along the Brahmaputra valley.

Meanwhile, the flood situation worsened in Lower Asom after Bhutan released water on Tuesday night.

With around 55 lakh people affected, which amounts to one fourth of the state's population, this is one of the worst floods that the state has witnessed.

The animals at Kaziranga were not left out as some died in flood and others slaughtered by poachers and villagers.

Flood-ravaged populace of Asom have adapted themselves to live with the natural fury, but animals of Kaziranga were killed as they tried to take shelter on the highlands.

''We have taken precautionary measures. All the forest camps have been shifted to the National Highway and the villages. There are mobile patrolling. There are even support from villagers, but there are still reports of killing of animals. This is terrible and insensitive,'' said CCF (Wildlife) M C Malakar.

With forecasts of water level receding in the next 72 hours, the Asom government is gearing up for post-flood management. According to official sources, medicine stock was adequate, but the accessibility to the flood-ravaged areas with no proper roads remained the biggest hurdle.

''We have made adequate arrangements,'' said state Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma.

The Brahmaputra although flowing above the danger level, has shown a receding trend and the met office predicted that the intensity would be reduced if rain stops.

All its tributaries, including the Buridihing, Subansiri, Dekhow, Desang, Jia bharali, Kopili, Puthimari, Pagladia and Beki were flowing over their danger level at different points in the state.

Swelling Kurishu river in Bhutan had flooded new areas of Barpeta, Baska and Chirang districts of lower Asom after the Bhutanese authorities released water without any alert to the border districts of the state.

The flood waters also threatened to disrupt traffic through the NH 31 at some places in lower Assam. About eight lakh people were affected by the fresh floods and inter-district road communication remained snapped.

UNI