Guwahati: Chants of “O Hari, O Ram” resonated across Makeli village in Chhaygaon subdivision of Assam’s Kamrup district Thursday, about 40 km from Guwahati. A group of ‘mekhela sador’-clad women squatted atop a half-eroded embankment, offering flowers and incense as they prayed for the rains to stop.
“I had taken a bank loan of Rs 1 lakh to build the foundation of my house, but everything has been destroyed. If erosion washes away the remaining portion of land, where will I go?” said a local resident, speaking to the media in Chhaygaon.
At Bilasipara in Dhubri district, young boys in starched white kurtas stood on the edge of an eroding dyke, praying to Allah for mercy. More than 90,000 people have been affected in Bilasipara due to the flood.
The situation across the state continues to be grim with the death toll rising to 52 Thursday with six more casualties — four from Golaghat, and two from Charaideo and Dibrugarh districts each.
More than 70 percent of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is under water, and over 70 animals including three rhinos have drowned. Altogether, 67 of the park’s 233 camps are currently submerged up to five feet. While the water level in Dibrugarh and Tezpur are below danger level, it is still above danger level at Numaligarh, Nimatighat and Dhansirimukh.
In the past few days, floodwaters of the rain-swollen Brahmaputra and its tributaries have affected over 21 lakh people in 29 districts, gulping down roads, villages, embankments and farmlands. The state government is engaged in rescue and relief efforts, but there has been little respite.
Visuals in the media showed some houses with water levels reaching all the way till the roofs, and farm animals under sheds in nearly ruined dwellings.
Every year in Assam, floods bring people and animals under one roof, in relief camps and makeshift arrangements. Everyone — rich and poor alike — is forced to survive on relief provided by the government. If a family member goes missing around this time, the news is likely devastating.
At Arcarjhar Satiyantola village in Chapar block of Dhubri district, the family of deceased Mahendra Rai conducted his ‘Shraddha’ ceremony above shafts in a flooded home.
Speaking to local media Wednesday, his wife Suniti Rai said, “I wanted to do it in a befitting way, but it’s all flooded. We have set up these bamboo shafts to perform the rituals. Floods were sudden this year.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been actively posting on social media over the past few days, announcing state government initiatives for flood victims and broadcasting snippets from his visits to flood-hit areas. To ensure proper supervision, Sarma has requested Assam Cabinet ministers to be stationed in various districts for the next three days.
The entire State Govt stands with the people of Assam in this hour of crisis. To ensure proper supervision, I have requested Cabinet Ministers to be stationed in various districts for the next three days.
Myself and a team of Ministers will also visit Barak Valley for 3-4 days… pic.twitter.com/uh992s9Tgw
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 3, 2024
Earlier Wednesday, the CM said that the water levels have receded and that the situation should improve in a week’s time. He further added that a cloud burst resulted in the current wave of floods.
Since the past few days, Sarma has been visiting affected areas in Upper and Lower Assam, and updating the situation on social media.
Visited the flood relief centre yesterday in Golaghat. Have assured the people of providing all necessary amenities.#AssamFloods pic.twitter.com/BTTlinrCGL
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 3, 2024
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the rivers are still flowing above danger level in both Brahmaputra and Barak Valley.
Among others, Dhubri, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Nalbari, Barpeta, Darrang and Cachar districts have been worst-affected in the past 24 hours. Over 6.4 lakh people in Dhubri and 6.6 lakh in Lakhimpur have been hit by flood and erosion. A total of 3,208 villages under 107 revenue circles were swamped by the overflowing rivers. Lakhs of cattle and poultry have also been affected. Almost a hundred animals have been washed away, confirmed ASDMA in its flood bulletin Thursday.
Authorities further confirmed that personnel of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Fire and Emergency Services, along with the Army and paramilitary forces, are assisting the respective district administration in rescue and relief operations. Thousands of people and animals have been evacuated by boats and helicopters of the Indian Air Force pressed into service.
So far, a total of 698 relief camps have been set up, in which nearly 40,000 of those displaced are taking shelter. These include 285 pregnant women and nearly 7,861 children.
Relief materials in the form of rice, dal, salt, mustard oil, cattle feed, baby food and other essentials have been distributed among those affected.
Kaziranga submerged, 70 animals dead
On Friday, Kaziranga authorities confirmed 70 animals have died in floods and 92 rescued, so far. While 23 Hog Deer drowned, seven died under treatment. A total of 31 animals have been treated and released, including Hog Deer and Sambar. Other species including a rhino calf, a pup otter and a jungle cat are under treatment.
Three tigers have strayed out of the park and its additions to human settlements in Biswanath, Sonitpur and Nagaon districts. The forest department is trying its best to give the animals a safe passage, or capture and release them in safer areas.
On Wednesday evening, the park authorities, acting on intelligence inputs, intercepted a vehicle on National Highway-37, and recovered approximately 7.15 kg of hog deer meat. Two persons, identified as Ajay Modi (26) and Sunil Tanti (28) from Nagaon district, have been arrested in this regard. The incident took place in the Western Range (Bagori) of the park.
For enhanced safety measures, Kaziranga authorities are relaying awareness messages across the districts.
This is an updated version of the report.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)