Guwahat, Jul 21 (UNI) The overall flood situation in Assam continued to improve steadily, though the death toll increased further with more deaths reported in the state.
Continuing his visit to flood-ravaged and erosion-affected parts of the state, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited the erosion hit areas of Tulsijhara in Chirang district and flood affected areas of Jamdaha (Bekar Chowk Bazar) in Bongaigaon district and assessed the devastations caused by river Aie.
Altogether two casualties were reported from different parts since last evening, taking the overall toll to 87, an Assam State Disaster Management Authority bulletin informed here. Another 26 people have been killed in landslides so far.
As many as 24 districts continued to reel under floods, affected 69 revenue circles and 2323 villages and localities.
Over 24.19 lakh people are still affected by floods in the state, with Barpeta, Dhubri, Soth Salmara, Goalpara and Kamrup (M) among the worst-hit till now.
Nearly 45,000 displaced people are still taking shelter in 276 relief camps. Additionally, 121 relief distribution centres are also operational in the affected parts.
The number of major rivers flowing above the danger level has increased to nine today from six last evening, with the Brahmaputra over the red mark in five places throughout the length of the state.
As many as 869 stranded persons were evacuated from different parts by SDRF personnel, assisted by civil administration and local people.
In Kaziranga National Park, the number of animals killed in floods, including hit by vehicles, has increased to 116, while another 143 animals have been rescued so far.
Out of 223 forest camps in the Park, 73 are still affected by floods and six remain vacated.
Vast tracts of Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary have also been affected.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sonowal, interacting with media persons while reviewing the flood situation, said the flood waters of river Aie have destroyed huge tract of agricultural land and affected large numbers of people in both Chirang and Bongaigaon district.
This has become a serious cause of concern for the local people, he said, adding that the State Government would take prompt steps for finding lasting solution to flood and erosion caused by river Aie.
Referring to a question regarding water flowing down from Bhutan causing flood in Assam, the Chief Minister said the Central Government would take up the matter with the Bhutan Government for bringing out an early solution.
While Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta and Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to the erosion hit Tulsijhara in Chirang, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Phani Bhushan Choudhury was present at the time of his visit to Jamdaha in Bongaigaon.
UNI SG AKM