Over 5 lakh people affected in Assam flood, death toll at 18

Assam has been grappling with a grim flood situation after floods caused by heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Remal affected the state, with three more deaths reported, taking the death toll to 18.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 5.35 lakh people in 13 districts continue to remain affected by the flood.

Nagaon is said to be the worst-affected district where more than 3 lakh people remained affected, followed by Cachar and Hojai. 

The flood and storm-related deaths since May 28 have reached 18, with two deaths reported in Cachar and one in Nagaon.

More than 39,000 displaced people from across the flood-affected districts are currently living in 275 relief camps. Another 82 relief distribution centers were also operational.

Several operations agencies including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and local administration, are carrying out rescue operations, with medical teams also being deployed in the affected areas.

Reports of infrastructure damage, including roads, bridges and other property, have emerged from different districts.

Although there was a slight decrease in the number of affected people, the situation persisted as a significant concern, reported newswire PTI.

Officials said that the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak are flowing below the danger level. Officials said that major sluiceways were also opened on Sunday to release the stagnant waters.

The 14 flood-affected districts are Hailakandi, Karimganj, Hojai, Dhemaji, Kamrup, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Morigaon, Cachar, South Salmara, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat and Dima-Hasao.

Home Minister Amit Shah also took stock of the flood situation and assured required assistance. A well-equipped team of the NDRF on June 1 reached the Barak Valley part of Assam which will continue to be there till the situation becomes normal.

The heavy rainfall has led to massive landslides in the Dima Hasao district which disrupted both rail and road connectivity between Barak Valley and the rest of Assam. 

According to the officials, the railway tracks are working now and some stranded trains have been passed.

Meanwhile, in Mizoram, the search operation continued on June 2 as a few individuals are still missing at the sites where landslides took place during the rain.

However, the state government authorities said that if the bodies are not found till 4 pm on June 3, the search operation will be discontinued. A total 28 dead bodies were recovered till June 1, said officials.