India – Fresh Wave of Floods in Assam Leaves 3 Dead and 25,000 Displaced

A fresh wave of flooding in the north east Indian state of Assam began on 02 August, 2018. This follows an earlier wave of flooding that began in June which left over 30 people dead and 200,000 displaced.

Around 90,000 people have been affected in 9 districts since 02 August, with 3 people dead and around 25,000 displaced. The Dhansiri river in Golaghat district has exceeded its previous highest ever flood level by almost 30 cm.

As of 03 August, flooding was reported in Golaghat, Sivasagar, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang and Charaideo. Flooding affected Biswanath and Udalguri districts on 02 August but has since subsided.

By far the worst hit district is Golaghat, where flooding has affected 67,724 people in 99 villages. Four hundred homes have been damaged or destroyed by flooding in the district.

As of 03 August almost 24,000 people had left their homes to stay in 99 relief camps set up by the authorities in Golaghat. Nine relief camps have also been set up in Sivasagar district to accommodate over 200 evacuees.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), fatalities were reported on 02 August in Dhemaji, Udalguri and Golaghat districts. Forty-one people have now died in flooding in Assam since the start of this year’s monsoon.

Rescues

India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued around 400 people in Golaghat after flooding from the overflowing Dhansiri river. On 03 August NDRF said that further evacuation operations are still in progress. Around 100 people were also rescued in Shivsagar district.

Rivers

ASDMA said Brahmaputra at Nematighat in Jorhat district, Dikhow river in Sivsagar, Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat and the Jia Bharali river in Sonitpur were flowing above danger level, as of 03 August.

India’s Central Water Commission said that, as of 03 August, the Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district was flowing at 80.14 metres, which is 0.27 metres above its previous ‘Highest Flood Level’ of 79.87 metres.

Rainfall

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a 24 hour period to 02 August, Goalpara recorded 130.7mm of rain, Jorhat 53.2mm, Kokrajhar 69.2mm and Lakhimpur 60.8mm.

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