Guwahati: Floods in Assam have claimed 14 lives, with three additional deaths reported on Sunday in Nagaon and Cachar districts. Over the past five days, floodwaters of the swollen Brahmaputra River and its tributaries have affected more than 535,000 people across 13 districts.
However, the situation has come under scrutiny as the crisis coincides with the Lok Sabha elections, the results of which will be declared Tuesday. The floods in the state have been triggered by heavy rainfall and cyclonic activity over the Northeast.
Taking note of this, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has urged government representatives to cease election-related activities and prioritise the needs of flood victims by providing adequate relief and ensuring their safety and security.
“With both the state government and administration keeping busy in electioneering, arrangements for disaster management have been left inadequate,” alleged AASU president Utpal Sarma, speaking to ThePrint.
“Assam sees floods every year, but to tackle the crisis, the government was required to make arrangements in advance. With reports of so many deaths from different parts of the state, it is clear that requisite arrangements were not made,” he added.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Assam is experiencing heightened rainfall due to the effects of Cyclone Remal, which struck the region on 28 May. The situation is further exacerbated by the southwest monsoon’s advancement into the Northeast. The Met Department predicts continued rainfall until 4 June.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media Friday to thank Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who he said had spoken to him over telephone to enquire about the situation.
“He has assured us the complete support of the Government of India in these trying times. We are grateful for his proactive efforts,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.
In the past two months, Sarma has actively campaigned across the country, addressing rallies and giving media interviews. By his own account, he addressed 171 meetings and road shows in nine states over a span of 60 days.
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39,000 people in relief camps
Over the last few days, the floods have wreaked havoc over large swathes of Assam. Data from the state’s Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), compiled Sunday, shows that the first flood-related death occurred on 29 May, followed by 10 others until Saturday. A total of 564 villages across 26 revenue circles have been inundated, with maximum damage reported from Cachar district. The rivers Kopili, Barak, and Kushiyara are still flowing above the danger level.
In many places, roads, bridges, and culverts have been washed away. Schools and Anganwadi Centres have been affected in Dibrugarh district, and a number of bunds and canals were damaged in Karbi Anglong. The floods have also destroyed over 8,143.75 hectares of crops.
Over 39,000 people, including 9,652 children and 284 pregnant or lactating mothers, are taking shelter in relief camps. The authorities have opened at least 275 relief camps and 82 aid distribution centres in response. More than a lakh animals, including cattle and other livestock, were also rescued from affected areas. At some relief camps, humans and cattle live under the same roof.
Rescue agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) are continuing to evacuate people and cattle from submerged areas. Local country boats have also been deployed for rescue operations.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)
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