The toll in Assam flood rose to 32 as seven more people lost their lives on Monday, PTI reported. The deaths were reported from Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat and Lakhimpur districts, according to a report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority. The flood has affected over 12.55 lakh people across 20 districts in the state.
Of the seven dead, three hailed from Lakhimpur, which is said to be the worst affected district. One person drowned in Nowboicha area of Lakhimpur, while two others were killed in a landslide in Narayanpur area.
“[The] floods have caused havoc in the western part of Lakhimpur district especially after NEEPCO released huge quantities of water from its Ranganadi hydro-electric project in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday because of incessant rain in its catchment areas,” Barun Bhuyan, deputy commissioner of Lakhimpur district, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. “The eastern embankment of Ranganadi river is in a very precarious condition, and if rains continue for two more days, it will give away, causing havoc in Lakhimpur town.”
The ASDMA said as many as 2,053 villages are currently submerged, and more than 1.05 lakh hectares of crop areas have been damaged. Around 18,295 displaced people have been accommodated in relief camps across 11 districts. The ASDMA said the government has distributed 2,523.70 quintal of rice, 461.11 quintal of pulses and 130.34 quintal of salt among the flood victims.
Kaziranga National Park was also reported to have been flooded, leaving few of the animals dead. Close to 4.5 lakh animals and poultry have also been affected by the flood in Assam.
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