Assam flood situation remains grim as death toll rises to 108, pictures tell the story of devastation

Assam's flood situation remained grim as seven more people died due to the calamity on Thursday taking the toll to 108.

(Picture: IANS)

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the total population affected by the current wave of flood, however, registered a decline to 45.34 lakh in 30 districts from Wednesday's 54.50 lakh in 32 districts. Power supply was disrupted in several parts of the town but it has been restored in some areas while engineers from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) will reach Silchar from Guwahati.

(Picture: PTI)

Three districts of Barak Valley- Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj - were severely affected by the rising water of the Barak and Kushiara rivers while Silchar town was submerged due to the breach of an embankment. However, the worst affected districts are Barpeta with 10,32,561 people suffering due to the flood followed by Kamrup (4,29,166), Nagaon (5,03,308) and Dhubri (3,99,945), according to an ASDMA bulletin.

(Picture: IANS)

The devastating floods, caused by incessant rainfall, have affected 103 revenue circles and 4536 villages, while 2,84,875 inmates have taken shelter in 759 relief camps. The floods have also damaged 173 roads and 20 bridges while two embankments were breached in Baksa and Darrang districts each and three were damaged. Crop area of 100869.7 hectares and 33,77,518 animals have been affected in this second wave of floods while 84 animals were washed away during the day.

(Picture: IANS)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made an aerial survey of severely affected Silchar town. After making the aerial survey, the CM reviewed the flood scenario in the Barak Valley region and announced that additional columns of the Army will be sent to Silchar town for evacuation of the marooned people there. 

(Picture: ANI)

Sarma said that 30 packets containing food, water bottles and other essential items were airdropped on Thursday at different places of flood-hit Silchar by IAF helicopters and this will continue for the next few days. He said that more water bottles from Guwahati will be airlifted to Silchar as clean drinking water supply is scarce and "we plan to airdrop one lakh bottles of drinking water daily".

(Picture: IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre is continuously monitoring the flood situation in Assam and is working closely with the state government to provide all assistance to overcome the challenge. "Army and NDRF teams are present in the flood affected areas. They are conducting evacuation operations and assisting those who are affected. The Air Force has conducted over 250 sorties as a part of the evacuation process," PM Modi said.

(Picture: ANI)