One killed in Assam floods, situation critical in six districts

One person was killed after being swept away by flood waters in Assam's Morigaon district while the situation in five other affected districts remained "critical".

About 1.35 lakh people have been hit by the devastating floods that have destroyed embankments and roads.

The deceased belonged to Bhuragaon circle, which is facing a serious threat as the raging waters of the Brahmaputra river have eroded the rock spur of Kupatimari portion of its embankment, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar said.

The erosion is of serious concern and the water resource department has been detailed to work round-the-clock to protect it, he said.

The situation in flood-ravaged Mayong revenue circle is also critical as 60 villages under Pokoriya and Ghagua local revenue units are inundated, affecting over 70,000 people, Kumar said, adding mechanised boats were used to evacuate them.

The six districts affected by the floods are Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Morigaon, Barpeta, Jorhat and Dhemaji.

Flood waters also damaged embankments in Lakhimpur district's Bhoroluwa, Boloma and Lothujan areas, besides at Gayan Gaon in Jorhat district, sources in Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.

PWD road culverts were also breached in Lakhimpur district, they said.

Food and essential items were distributed by the district administrations and relief camps have been set up for deluge-hit people, the sources added.