21 die in Assam floods in a single day, total death toll rises to 31
Floods in Assam claimed 21 lives across four districts on Tuesday, July 21. The floods have so far claimed a total of 31 lives across the state. Reports citing official sources estimate the death toll could be higher. An estimated 5.6 lakh people have been affected across 16 districts by floods, says officials.
Of the 21 fatalities reported on Tuesday, July 21, 13 were reported from Sivasagar, 5 from Charaideo, two from Golaghat and one from Jorhat district.
The 10 deaths reported eariler were from the Dhemaji, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Sonitpur districts of Assam.
Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat are some of the worst affected districts, suggest reports.
The number of flood affected in the state stood at 3.63 lakh on Monday, July 20. The figure rose to over 5.64 lakh with Sivasagar the worst flood affected district.
On Tuesday, July 21 night, officials moved 12,284 people across 71 relief camps. An estimated, over1 lakh flood affected people are relying on 202 relief distribution centers for basic needs.
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The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in an update said, the flood situation worsened Tuesday, July 21 evening. About 872 villages across 16 districts are reportedly affected by floods, affecting an estimated 5.68 lakh people and a crop area of 54,210.35 hectares.
The ASDMA stated that two of Assam's eastern rivers, the Dkhow and the Disang were flowing above the highest flood levels at certain stretches. Three other rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Dhansiri were also flowing above the danger level.
Meanwhile the states Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed the latest burst of deluge to hit the state was due to an upstream cloudburst. He is expected to visit the flood affected areas and relief camps in Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat districts on Wednesday, July 22 to review relief operations.
Train services remain disrupted for a second consecutive day. The Northeast Frontier Railway is operating special services for stranded passengers , however several rail services have been cancelled or diverted.
To ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity in the flood affected regions, the Department of Telecommunications has in the meantime activated the Intra Circle Roaming facility at Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat until Friday, July 24.
