Nearly 4 million people still affected in Assam floods; 5 more deaths reported

According to a bulletin issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 3,218 villages and localities in 27 of the state’s 33 districts are still affected by flooding.

Published on: Jul 16, 2020, 20:07:14 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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Nearly 4 million people continued to be affected by floods in Assam on Thursday, which saw five more deaths due to drowning-taking the tally this season to 71.

Five deaths due to drowning-2 in Morigaon district and one each in Barpeta, Lakhimpur and Goalpara-were reported during the day. (PTI)

According to a bulletin issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 3,218 villages and localities in 27 of the state’s 33 districts are still affected by flooding.

Five deaths due to drowning-2 in Morigaon district and one each in Barpeta, Lakhimpur and Goalpara-were reported during the day. The state has also recorded 26 deaths, due to landslides caused by heavy rains, since May.

Over 49,000 people displaced by flood waters are at present taking shelter in 748 relief camps set up in the affected districts. Rescue workers evacuated 2,737 stranded people by boats on Thursday and took them to safety.

According to ASDMA, over 1.31 hectares of crop area has been affected by flood waters. More damage to embankments, roads and bridges were reported from the affected districts during the day.

Nearly 90% area of the Kaziranga national park and tiger reserve (KNPTR) spread over 430 sq km continues to remain submerged by flood waters. Till date 76 animals of the park including 5 rhinos have died during this season’s floods, said a bulletin issued by the park authorities.

According to a Central Water Commission (CWC) bulletin, most rivers in the state remained in spate on Thursday. The Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, Jia Bharali, Kopili, Beki, Barak and Kushiyara flowed above the danger mark at several places.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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