Assam flood situation turns critical

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed that the death toll due to floods in Assam has reached 81. The release of excess water from hydropower dams in Bhutan had wreaked havoc in Assam in the past, inundating hundreds of villages and killing many people.

Guwahati:The flood situation in Assam turned critical on Friday with toll mounting to 81 and a total of 28.01 lakh people in 19 of the 33 districts of the state remain affected by the deluge.

According to reports, the situation became critical after the neighbouring Bhutan released excess water from its Kuri Chhu Dam. The prevailing water level rose due to persistent rainfall coupled with heavy rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh.

The floodwater submerged the districts of lower Assam. Barpeta, Nalbari, Baksa, Chirang, Kokarajhar, Dhubri and West Salmara are the most affected.

Atleast 18 districts, 67 revenue circles and 2,753 villages stand affected by flood.

Meanwhile, 50% of Kaziranga National Park remains submerged under floodwater.

According to recent reports, the death toll rose to 208 in the national park, which included 18 rhinos, 167 deer, one elephant among others perished.

Forest department has so far rescued 69 animals from various parts of the national park.

The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Neamatighat in Jorhat and Dhubri districts, Jia Bharali at N T Road Crossing in Sonitpur district, Puthimari at NH Road Crossing in Kamrup district, Beki at Road Bridge in Barpeta district, Gaurang in Kokrajhar and Kushiara in Karimganj district.

Read: Toll in Assam floods climbs to 68