Death toll at ten, flood situation grim

Guwahati, Sep 09 (UNI) The flood situation remained grim as the death toll in the third wave of flood in Assam reached 10 so far.

In the past 24 hours, two persons were swept away by the overblown rivers in Golokganj, two in Kampur, and one in Behali.

However, the sources said that figures might be more.

Army personnel had rushed to the affected areas, including the river island Majuli, to carry out the relief work, official sources said.

The NH 37 and 31, which served as the main life-line for the Assam and North East, were blocked since past few days.

More than 14,000 trucks remained stranded along the highway, while some of the vehicles were diverted through Dehradun at Golaghat, sources added.

About 20 districts were said to be completely innundated, displacing more than five million people and affecting nearly 12 million people across the State.

Officials said water-level was increasing near Neematighat following incessant rainfall.

There were also reports of massive landslides at Sonarpur thus disrupting communications on Silchar road.

The maximum devastation had been caused by the Desang river in Sivsagar district besides other rivers creating havoc at Kopili, Jiabhorli and Dhanisiri.

However, the state is braving through the situation as the Regional Meteorology Centre (RMC) sources have forecast heavy rains for the next few days.

More than 80 per cent of the Kaziranga sanctuary remained submerged and most of the wild animals, including 1666 rhinos, had strayed from the park and had taken shelter in the neighbouring Karbi hills, the officials said.

UNI