In pics: Floods batter Assam, kill at least 63 and hit nearly 31 lakh people in 32 districts

Eight more people lost their lives on Saturday (June 18, 2022) as Assam continued to reel under devastating floods caused by incessant rain, which has so far hit nearly 31 lakh people in 32 districts. According to reports, as many as 63 people have so far lost their lives due to the Assam floods.

The toll in the current second wave of floods and landslides in the state has increased after two deaths each reported from Barpeta and Karimganj while one each died in Darrang, Hailakandi, Nalbari and Sonitpur districts.

Eight people, including three children, were reported missing after a boat capsize in Hojai district on Friday night. They are from the districts of Hojai, Bajali, West Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar and Tamulpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the situation.

PM Modi has also assured him of all help from the Centre.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also visited a few relief camps sheltering affected people in Kamrup and Darrang districts. He visited the inundated Rangia town in Kamrup district, with state BJP president and local MLA Bhabesh Kalita.

The BJP leader also visited relief camps at Fatima Convent School and Kolajal where affected people have taken shelter.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) bulletin on Saturday stated that the river Kopili is flowing above 'High Flood Level' in Nagaon district, while other rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Jia-Bharali, Puthimari, Pagladia, Manas, Beki, Barak and Kushiara are flowing above the danger level at different places.

According to a report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Saturday, around 30.99 lakh people have been affected in 32 districts due to floods. 

Various teams of NDRF and SDRF are currently evacuating affected people to safer places.

The Indian Army has also deployed 11 columns to assist in rescue and relief operations in Hojai, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Darrang, Tamulpur and Kamrup districts and has so far evacuated around 3,000 people to safety.

As many as 118 revenue circles and 4,291 villages have been impacted by the calamity. More than 1.56 lakh people have taken shelter in 514 relief camps. Relief materials were also distributed to other affected populations that are not in such camps.

A total crop area of 66,455.12 hectares has been inundated while 441 animals have been washed away in the current wave of floods, according to the ASDMA.