...
...
Next Story

Assam flood toll reaches 151, more than 50,000 in relief camps

Officials say 16 of Assam’s 33 districts continue to be flood-affected. As many as 54,982 people have taken shelter in 276 relief camps.

Updated on: Aug 20, 2017, 19:25:16 IST
Advertisement

Assam’s killer floods claimed four more lives on Sunday, taking the death toll in two waves of deluge to 151. Kaziranga National Park also recorded the loss of 10 animals, with the death toll since July touching 342.

People transport sacks of rice through a boat at a flooded village in Morigaon district in Assam. (REUTERS)
People transport sacks of rice through a boat at a flooded village in Morigaon district in Assam. (REUTERS)

Officials of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said 16 of the state’s 33 districts continue to be flood-affected. As many as 54,982 people have taken shelter in 276 relief camps.

The number of affected people across 1,493 inundated villages was 18.65 lakh, down from 22.11 lakh on Saturday.

“The flood situation has improved marginally in the last 24 hours, but four people got killed in as many districts despite rescue personnel evacuating 1,197 people,” an ASDMA officer said, declining to be quoted.

Officials said Assam has faced worse floods before, but this time the casualty has been unusually on the higher side. The second wave of floods since August 10 has claimed 67 lives far even as the first wave that ended mid-July took 84 lives.

In Kaziranga, officials said floodwaters covered 22% of the park on Sunday – 6% less than the Saturday limit.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rahul Karmakar

Rahul Karmakar was part of Hindustan Times’ nationwide network of correspondents that brings news, analysis and information to its readers. He no longer works with the Hindustan Times.

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe