Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

The water-level of flash floods in Goalpara district in Assam, triggered off by a massive cloud-burst in Meghalaya has started receding, but it has left behind a trail of destruction which will take years to repair.

It started with torrential rainfall on September 20 in the North Eastern region, followed by a cloudburst in the Garo Hills which led to landslides and flash floods. More than 10 lakh people are displaced in flood-ravaged Assam and Meghalaya. The worst affected areas are the districts of Goalpara, Kamrup and Boko in Assam and the areas of Tura and some districts in Garo Hills area in Meghalaya.

Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

Though the water level is receding in most parts of Assam, nearly four lakh people are still reeling under the impact of floods in the state.

Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

According to the daily flood report by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 3.7 lakh people across three districts are still affected due to the floods.

Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

202 villages in Goalpara, Kamrup Rural and Dhemaji districts are flood-hit, with 3.66 lakh people are affected in Goalpara alone. As per reports, the authorities are operating 18 relief camps and shelter homes, where around 6,000 people were staying.

Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

Crops in over 40,000 hectare were under water across the state alongwith wildlife in the state. In Goalpara alone, crops in over 37,000 hectare have been affected, affecting nearly 83,000 families depending on agriculture. Besides, a large number of roads and bridges, government infrastructure like schools, health centres and offices have also been damaged in many districts.

Assam floods: Water level recedes, leaves vast trail of destruction

During this latest wave of flood, 44 people have lost their lives. Of them, 20 persons died in Goalpara, followed by 16 in Kamrup Rural, six in Kamrup Metro and one each in Morigaon and Dhubri districts.
In Goalpara, 81,582 houses were either fully or partially damaged due to the floods.