Nearly two lakh hit by Assam floods

Close to two lakh people have been affected by floods in 13 districts of Assam, officials said on Wednesday, as over 200 people took shelter in relief camps in Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts.

Heavy rains have also lashed most parts of the state since Tuesday.

Floods hit many parts of Baksa, Dibrugarh and Kamrup districts on Wednesday, even as many villages in Barpeta, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur Tinsukia, Darrang, Nalbari, Golapara, Jorhat and Kamrup (Metro) districts continue to remain under water.

A flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said 1,95,243 people have been affected as flood waters submerged 533 villages.

The state government has opened toll free phone numbers -- 1070 for the State Emergency Operation Centre, and 1077 for the District Emergency Operation Centre.

Flood waters have also affected over 8,245 hectares of crop land, officials said.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Bhumidhar Barman, and Water Resource Minister Basanta Das on Wednesday reviewed the flood situation, and asked the district administrations to take up flood mitigation measures immediately.

The ministers asked the district administrations to arrange relief and rescue material, and take stock of the infrastructural damage.

According to the water resources department, embankments have been breached in Sonitpur, Nalbari, Dhubri, Darrang and Goalpara districts. - IANS