Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises to 20, Over 90% Kaziranga National Park Submerged With 17 Animals Dead; 32 Districts Affected
The condition is Assam is going from bad to worse as the devasting floods continue to spread destruction in the state. The death toll on Tuesday reached 20 as the 52 lakh people have been affected by incessant rains. Ninety per cent of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Golaghat and Nagaon districts was submerged, with 17 animals dead.
New Delhi, July 17: The condition is Assam has gone from bad to worse as the devasting floods continue to spread destruction in the state. In Assam, 32 of the 33 districts have been affected by the floods. The death toll on Tuesday reached 20 while 52 lakh people have been affected by incessant rains. The Indian Army, as well as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were on the ground, helping in rescue operations. Assam: Heavy Rain and Floods Displace More Than a Million.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report, over 52 lakh people have been affected in the floods that hit the state early this month. The Brahmaputra river and its tributaries were flowing above the danger levels in most of the districts. In the capital city Guwahati, Brahmaputra was flowing at 51.23 metres. Brahmaputra River Flows Above Danger Mark, Roads Washed Away, School Building Collapses Due to Heavy Rains.
Condition in Assam:
Ninety per cent of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Golaghat and Nagaon districts is still submerged, said a statement from the Assam Ministry of Forest and Environment. The KNF is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. According to reports, two rhinoceros have drowned in the floods and around 15 other animals were reported to be dead. Viral Video of Deer Wading Through Deep Neck Waters at Kaziranga National Park Distresses Netizens.
Seeing the situation, the government released Rs 251.55 crore as assistance from the central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2019-2020. Over 200 relief camps and as many as 562 distribution centres have been set up across the state to provide relief to the affected people.
In neighbouring Meghalaya, at least 1.10 lakh people have been affected in West Garo Hills district due to heavy rainfall and rising waters of Brahmaputra and the Jinjiram rivers, both flowing from Assam. A total of 57,700 people, residents of 50 villages in Demdema block and over 66,400, residents of 104 villages in Selsella block have been affected due to the floods. The low lying areas of Shillong were also flooded.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).