NEW DELHI: Assam flood crisis continues to take a heavy toll, with the death count from this year’s floods rising to 87.
Although the number of affected districts has now fallen to seven, more than 1.28 lakh people are still struggling with the impact of the disaster.
Floodwater remains spread across 380 villages, leaving thousands of people displaced and large areas of farmland under water.
The floods have also damaged homes, roads, bridges and livestock, adding to the pressure on rural communities.
Seven districts still under flood impact
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the affected districts are Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Biswanath.
Flooding is still reported across 24 revenue circles, while around 14,230 ha of crop land remain submerged.
Sivasagar has emerged as the worst-hit district in terms of the number of people affected. Around 55,200 residents are dealing with the floods there.
Charaideo has reported 34,050 affected people, followed by Jorhat with 20,209, Golaghat with 10,201 and Dhemaji with 8,333.
The figures show that even as the flood situation improves in some parts of Assam, several communities continue to face serious disruption.
More than 11,000 people in relief camps
With homes and villages inundated, relief operations remain active across the affected areas.
Authorities have set up 55 relief camps and relief distribution centres in the seven districts. These camps are currently sheltering 11,066 people.
Another 184 people are receiving help through relief distribution centres located outside the relief camps.
The arrangements are aimed at providing essential support to families who have either been forced to leave their homes or are unable to access basic supplies because of the floodwaters.
Houses and livestock suffer heavy damage
The floods have caused considerable damage to homes and other structures.
Officials said 878 houses have suffered partial damage, while another 302 houses have been fully or severely damaged.
The destruction has also hit livestock, which remains an important part of the rural economy in Assam. At least 301 cattle sheds and huts have been damaged.
The disaster has affected around 34,471 animals, while more than 54,500 poultry birds have reportedly been washed away. - The Statesman/ANN
