Over 12 lakh affected in Assam floods

Guwahati, Aug 27: Over 12 lakh people have been affected in floods in 16 districts of Assam. Many rivers, including the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries, continue to flow above the danger level, the authorities said Wednesday.

Officials said at least 10 people have died since Aug 18. In the latest casualty, two people died due to floods in Lakhimpur and Morigaon districts Tuesday.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a total of 1,265,449 people were affected due to floods as the surging waters of Brahmaputra and its tributaries inundated 2,093 villages in the 16 districts.

This has forced 163,052 people to take shelter in 212 relief camps set up by the administrations.

Officials said floods have also damaged standing crops in 112,635.25 hectares of land.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been pressed into service.

Over 100 boats of the NDFR, SDRF and the Inland Water Transport department were engaged in relief and rescue operations in Morigaon, Barpeta Kamrup, Nalbari, Dhemaji, Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts, the officials said.

Officials said the Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger level in Jorhat, Guwahati, Tezpur, Goalpara and Dhubri areas.

IANS