At least 600,000 people are currently affected by recent flooding in the state of Assam, north-east India. The state has been blighted by floods since the start of this year’s monsoon. The most recent floods started after several days of heavy rainfall that began on 17 August 2015.
The current wave of floods has affected 18 districts with the worst hit being Dhubri, Goalpara, Chirang, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon. A total of 1,291 villages are reported to be under water, with almost 180,000 displaced and staying in 260 relief camps set up by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). As many as 50,000 hectares of crops are also reported as being under water.
A report by ASDMA of 23 August said that 4 deaths have been recorded – 2 in Kokrajhar, and 1 each in Goalpara and Morigaon. Local media report that the death toll has since risen to 13.
Alongside ASDMA, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and India military are carrying our flood relief and rescue work. The Indian Ministry of defence that the army is currently carrying out relief operations in Lower Assam; with 6 columns working in the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon.
