Thousands affected by Assam flood

Crop land in over 1,409 hectares across 146 villages in 13 districts hit, 19 relief camps set up

- PRASANTA MAZUMDAR

OVER 37,000 people have been affected in the first wave of the floods in Assam. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 146 villages in 13 districts were in the grip of the deluge. The affected districts are Biswanath, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Udalguri, Cachar, Kamrup (Metro) and Nalbari.

The floods breached some roads, bridges and embankments and affected cropland in areas of over 1,409 hectares. Rivers including Brahmaputra, Puthimari and Kopili were in a spate, flowing above danger level at some places.

The authorities set up 19 relief camps in Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri. The State Disaster Response Force was engaged in conducting rescue operations in Sonitpur and Lakhimpur districts of northern Assam.