Guwahati: Assam grapples with the aftermath of a first wave of floods, which claimed the lives of eight people and displaced over 3.4 lakh residents across 11 districts.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) confirmed six additional fatalities on Friday, raising concerns as the state braces for potential further flooding.
The deluge has caused widespread misery, submerging villages and disrupting daily life. Cachar district bears the brunt of the disaster, with nearly 1.2 lakh people affected. Other severely impacted areas include Nagaon and Hojai, where tens of thousands are struggling to cope with the rising waters.
The Assam government has launched a multi-pronged response to mitigate the crisis. Authorities have set up 148 relief camps and 39 distribution centers to provide essential supplies to the displaced population.
Nearly 28,000 people, including vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children, are currently receiving shelter in these camps. Additionally, relief materials are being distributed to over 40,000 people in flood-affected areas but not residing in camps.
The floods have inflicted significant damage on infrastructure and livelihoods. Over 10 lakh domestic animals have been impacted, and hundreds of houses have been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
Road connectivity in several districts has been severed due to submerged highways and local roads, hindering movement of essential supplies and emergency services.
Specific areas like Hailakandi district require immediate attention. While water levels in some rivers have shown signs of stabilization, over 14,000 people from dozens of villages remain displaced.
Relief camps are sheltering over 2,000 people, but critical infrastructure damage necessitates continued support. Educational institutions have been forced to close, further disrupting normalcy for residents.
BSF Outposts Submerged in Karimganj
The rising water level of the Kushiyara River in Karimganj district has presented a unique challenge. At least six Border Security Force (BSF) outposts along the India-Bangladesh border have been submerged, creating difficulties for BSF jawans patrolling the crucial border area. Despite the challenges, BSF personnel remain vigilant and have deployed additional speedboats to maintain border security.