Assam: Flood Situation Improves Marginally as Brahmaputra and Other Major Rivers Begin To Recede

Assam's flood situation showed marginal improvement as major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, receded, reported The New Indian Express.

However, floods still continue to affect over four lakh people in 18 districts.

Rainfall has been less in most districts and scattered in some, leading to a recession in the water level of the major rivers.

The current first wave of floods and associated landslides from heavy rainfall have so far claimed 21 lives.

Around 1,296 villages across 54 revenue circles in 18 districts have been affected by the floods, leaving 16,558.59 hectares of cropland submerged.

Over 40,313 displaced individuals are currently taking shelter in 328 relief camps, while 1,19,001 affected people were provided relief at distribution centres set up in the affected districts.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the Barak Valley for the second time this week on Friday (6 June).

He assured timely rehabilitation grants to the people and that damaged infrastructure, like roads, will be repaired before Durga Puja festivities.

Floodwaters from the Brahmaputra have inundated vast areas of Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Additionally, the Brahmaputra and Kopili rivers have severely affected 70 per cent of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

The floods have forced animals, including the one-horned rhinoceros and other wildlife, to seek higher ground.