The flood situation in Assam improved slightly but claimed the life of a second person within a duration of 24 hours.
Officials of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said a man died in Nalbari district’s Ghograpar on Friday. Another person was killed in the adjoining Baksa on Thursday.
“The number of districts and subdivisions affected came down from 22 to 19 today (Friday). The number of affected people also reduced from 4,95,799 to 4,88,525 but the overall situation remains grim because of the threat of water-borne diseases,” an ASDMA spokesperson said.
On the other hand, the number of people who took shelter in relief camps almost trebled in a day.
The data provided by ASDMA said 35,142 people had moved into 215 relief camps. They included 5,708 children, 545 pregnant or lactating women, and 63 persons with disability.
Western Assam’s Bajali subdivision continues to be the worst hit part with 2,67,253 people affected.
Above danger mark
ASDMA officials said the water level of the Beki River subsided overnight but the Brahmaputra, Manas, Pagladiya and Puthimari rivers have been flowing above the danger mark at several stretches.
While the flood, referred to as the first wave, washed away 214 domesticated animals, the inundation-prone wildlife habitats such as the Kaziranga National Park and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary have not been affected yet.
Incessant rainfall causing flash floods, landslides, and mudflows have cut off road links to many parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Officials in Meghalaya said nine people had been killed in rain-induced disasters.
