Assam flood situation deteriorates, over 13 lakh hit

The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated further, as flood waters have submerged over 2,000 villages in 19 districts, affecting over 13 lakh people, officials said on Thursday.

The meteorological department has predicted more rain in the days to come, indicating further deterioration of the situation.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said three people -- two in Tinsukia and one in Dibrugarh -- died due to floods since Wednesday, taking the toll to seven.

Several units of the National Disaster Response Force and the state disaster response force have been deployed in all the districts to assist the civil administration in rescuing marooned people.

Close to 100 motor-boats and hundreds of other boats have been pressed into service to rescue flood-hit people.

"As of now, 13,78,540 people have been hit due to floods in 2,199 villages," an ASDMA official said.

Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nalbari, Barpeta, Sonitpur and Darrang districts remained the worst affected.

A total of 2,66,908 people are taking shelter in 385 relief camps in 14 districts, with Dibrugarh district having the highest number of 149 camps housing 91,750 people.

Officials of the state water resources department said the Brahmaputra and its tributaries were in spate at many locations across the state.

The floods have also affected 176,559 hectares of crop land.