Assam floods: PM Modi calls Himanta Biswa Sarma, assures support

In what was said to be the second wave of flood, over 2,70,000 people in 14 districts of the state have been affected due to the flood.

Informing that the state government has alerted its machineries to help the flood-hit people, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that second wave of floods have inundated 698 villages so far. “We have sent ministers and MLAs to these flood-hit areas to help the flood affected people,” he said. Mr Sarma said that heavy rain in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh has aggravated the flood situation.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi called me a short while ago to enquire about the flood situation in Assam. I explained to him that Assam is experiencing a second wave of floods this year due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and part of our upper Assam districts. I also briefed him about the relief measures undertaken by the state government. He assured me of full cooperation from the Government of India in this hour of crisis,” the chief minister said.

Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also spoke to the Assam chief minister over phone regarding the flood situation in worst-affected districts such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other parts of the state. Mr Sonowal also requested Mr Sarma to provide all necessary assistance to the flood victims.

"In view of the flood in Dibrugarh town, took stock of the conditions and directed officials to take immediate measures to mitigate the situation," he said.

The death toll rose to 34 with the deaths of two children in the Dhemaji district on Sunday.

The officials of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said, “Two children died after drowning in flood waters at Gogamukh and Jonai area in Dhemaji district on Sunday and the total death toll has mounted to 34 across the state so far.”

Meanwhile, following incessant rainfall in the past few days, the flood waters of the Brahmaputra River entered Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam and inundated 61 out of 233 camps of the park.

The Director of Kaziranga National Park Ms Sonali Ghosh said that the flood waters submerged 22 forest camps in the Agoratoli range, 10 in the Kaziranga range, 8 in the Bagori range, 5 in the Burapahar range, 6 in Bokakhat range, 10 in Biswanath Wildlife Division.

The park authorities have taken measures for the safety and security of wild animals. To control the speed of vehicles on National Highway 37 which passes through the park, the authorities have already installed speed sensor cameras in different locations of the park area. Deployment of forest guards and staff on the national highway area has also been increased.