Assam, the gateway to the north-eastern seven sister states of India, is facing the nature’s fury once again as the Brahmaputra and its tributaries (Kapili etc.,) continued to flow above the danger mark due to heavy rainfalls since June 1st week.
Around 116 people are killed and an estimated population of 22 lakh have been affected in the worst ever flood in recent years causing large-scale devastation in 2809 villages in 27 of the 28 districts of the state.
The water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries were showing receding trend in some of the districts but in all the affected areas it was flowing above the danger mark. Road and rail services have been affected in several places with roads inundated or damaged at 2847 places and breached at 1741 points.
Rail tracks damaged by landslides in Lumding-Badarpur Railway division was yet to be restored but the Harangajao to Badarpur section has been already restored. An estimated five lakh people have taken shelter in 622 relief camps and 120 medical teams have been deployed to provide medical aid. 16 NDRF teams have been deployed for rescue operations in 13 Districts and they include Barpeta, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Dima-Hasao, Jorhat (Majuli), Kamrup, Kamrup(Metro), Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.
Survey is being undertaken in the Kaziranga National Park, which has been completely submerged by flood waters. In Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, 80 percent of the area inhabited by rhinos is under water.
The State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) has deployed 18 teams and army seven teams in the rescue operations with Indian Air Force also extending help.
For Assam the mighty Brahmaputra, though a life-giving river has become more synonymous with devastation than with prosperity. Every year the floods leave a trail of destruction, washing away villages, submerging paddy fields, drowning livestock, besides causing loss of human life and