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Assam Flood Death Toll Reaches 95, 1.6 Lakh Affected
Every year during the rainy (monsoon) season, rivers in a place in India called Assam can overflow and flood the land.
This year the floods have been very serious.
Officials say 95 people have died, and earlier in the day reports said 89 because the number kept climbing.
More than 160,000 people across 14 districts are affected, and 563 villages are under water.
The Dhansiri river is flowing above its danger level, and more rain is expected soon.
Many roads, bridges, schools and farms have been damaged or destroyed.
Thousands of animals have also been affected or washed away by the water.
Rescue teams are using boats to save people, including in the city of Guwahati.
Many families are staying in relief camps, where they receive food like rice, dal, salt and mustard oil.
The government is helping, and a health minister is visiting to see how things are going.
Assam's flood death toll rose to 95 after six deaths in the last 24 hours: two each in Sivasagar and Biswanath districts, and one each in Golaghat and Morigaon, with one person missing in Udalguri.
Over 1.6 lakh people across 14 districts and 563 villages are affected; Sivasagar is worst hit with more than 57,000 people, followed by Golaghat and Jorhat.
Earlier on Wednesday, an official bulletin reported 89 deaths and 1.22 lakh affected across five districts, showing the situation worsened through the day.
The Dhansiri river at Numaligarh is flowing above the danger level, keeping 14 districts on high alert, and more rain is forecast in catchment areas.
Relief efforts include 105 camps and distribution centres in six districts sheltering 44,523 people, while floods damaged seven embankments, 16,951 hectares of crops, and over 35,000 animals; boat rescues evacuated 80 people in Guwahati.
- Who
- Residents of Assam, especially in Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat districts; disaster management agencies such as the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA); and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who was scheduled to visit affected areas.
- What
- Severe monsoon flooding that has killed 95 people, affected over 1.6 lakh people across 14 districts and 563 villages, and damaged crops, livestock and infrastructure.
- Where
- Assam state in India, including 14 districts and urban areas such as Guwahati; the Dhansiri river at Numaligarh was above the danger level.
- When
- Wednesday, August 5, during this year's monsoon season; the death toll and affected count rose during the day.
- Why
- Heavy monsoon rainfall pushed rivers such as the Dhansiri above danger levels, and meteorologists forecast further rainfall in catchment areas.
Key facts
- Death toll
- 95 (six deaths in the last 24 hours; an earlier bulletin reported 89)
- People affected
- Over 1,60,600 across 14 districts
- Villages under water
- 563
- Worst-hit district
- Sivasagar (over 57,000 affected), followed by Golaghat and Jorhat
- River above danger level
- Dhansiri at Numaligarh
- Crop area damaged
- 16,951.76 hectares
- Livestock affected
- 35,025 domestic animals and poultry affected; 8,529 washed away
- Relief operations
- 105 relief camps and distribution centres in six districts sheltering 44,523 people
Quotes
ASDMA spokesperson
Official of Assam State Disaster Management Authority
“"Due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Dhansiri at Numaligarh, citizens are advised to stay away from the river."”
theprint.in
Sources
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