Over the last few days, the state of Bihar and Assam are grappling with flash floods caused by torrential rain in Nepal, leaving 10 million in the throes of despair. The flood fury spiraled the death toll to 114. The swollen rivers in the two states have washed away villages, towns and livelihoods in the two states.
In Bihar, the death toll from floods shot up to 78, with 11 more casualties reported during the last 24 hours. Altogether 18 people have died in Sitamarhi district alone on the Indo-Nepal border. The floodwaters also engulfed vast countryside in 12 districts of Bihar, where people were seen trying to find their way to safety with bamboo sticks in hand.
In Assam, over 54,00,000 people were affected as floods claimed nine more lives, taking the number of those dead during the current spell of monsoon rage to 36. More than 2,26,000 displaced people were taking shelter in 1,080 relief camps, with large areas of 28 of the state’s 33 districts affected. Barpeta district was the worst hit with 13,48,000 people facing the wrath of nature.
Besides this, the state administration is also running 689 relief distribution centres where essential items like food, potable water, baby food, medicines, mosquito repellents, sanitary napkins and fodder are being provided.
Over 4,000 houses were damaged across the state where rampaging waters swept away 130 animals, besides affecting many more, including 23,00,000 poultry. The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) teams were working round the clock to evacuate those marooned. The mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries were in spate, including in the state capital Guwahati. Several other rivers were flowing above the danger mark.
Northeastern states of Meghalaya and Mizoram also grappled with the floods. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conard M Sangma sought the Centre's assistance as floods enter West Garo Hills district and parts of Khasi Hills region, officials said. The chief minister, his deputy Prestone Tynsong and Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and appealed to him for assistance, an official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. A total of 159 villages with an estimated population of 1,30,000 people have been affected by the unprecedented floods in the area this year, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills Ram Singh said. Twenty relief camps have been set up by the district administration.
Vast areas of Kaziranga, Manas National Parks and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary were submerged, forcing the wild animals, including deer and buffaloes to move towards the highlands in Karbi Anglong Hills. The Northeast Frontier Railway has slowed down trains in Abhayapuri-Jogighopa section for safety as flood battered villagers, who have flocked to the railway embankment to take shelter.
