Over 18 lakh people have been affected by the flood in Assam. (PTI photo)
Assam is facing one of its worst floods ever, in which 13 people have died and nearly 18 lakh people have been displaced. Nine rivers cross the danger mark, flooding 22 of the state's 32 districts; more than 2 lakh people are living in 500 relief camps.
The state, which has been reeling for the last 10 days, has asked the Centre to pitch in with relief efforts. In Morigaon district, relief material has just started reaching the people.
The flood waters from Brahmaputra alone have submerged 277 villages in a district. Some of the houses are completely under water. With no connectivity, boats and helicopters are the only way to reach the stranded people.
Narrow embankments and bridges have become home to thousands of people who live in nearby villages. Others have been living in boats.
Villagers gather to collect flood relief material at Dhipujijan Pam in West Mayong in Assam.
One of them, a woman with a family of seven, told NDTV: "We are living and cooking in boats. We can't go anywhere as it is completely flooded. "
Ibrahim Khalenji, a resident of Gagalmari village, told NDTV, "This is worse than 2004. Since birth, we have been battling floods. Every year, it is the same story. We hope things will improve soon."
The Assam Legislative Assembly adjourned on Wednesday as the new Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked ministers, lawmakers and collectors to supervise flood relief themselves.
On Thursday, Mr Sonowal undertook an aerial survey in many districts, including his constituency Majuli.
The Army and National Disaster Response Force or NDRF have been rushed to the state for rescue operations. Relief materials have been brought to the state by choppers.
Abdul Qadir, the Panchayat Pradhan of Gagalmari told NDTV, "Help has come. Rice, dal and salt has arrived today. We will distribute it tomorrow".