7 people have been killed by the flash floods in Guwahati
Flash floods ravaged Guwahati and four districts in Assam, killing seven persons, including three in landslides in the Koinadhana area close to chief minister Tarun Gogoi's residence in the state capital.
Several other persons were reported to have been injured.
Guwahati has been experiencing incessant rainfall in the last 15 hours, setting off flash floods. Half of the city is said to submerged under flood water. Rajgarh and Tarun Nagar areas in Guwahati are the worst-hit. Four persons died after getting electrocuted.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has conducted a tour of the worst-affected areas.
The authorities blamed illegal encroachments across the state capital for the flash floods, which had choked the natural outlets for the gushing water.
Flood water, in fact, has also entered the adjoining Kamrup district, which has been receiving regular rainfall since Wednesday.
Altogether 6 districts are reeling under the impact of floods, including Lakhimpur, Darrang, Sonitpur and Udalguri, besides Guwahati and Kamrup.
The National Disaster Response Force, or the NDRF, has started rescue operations in east Guwahati. The state administration has opened helplines for better communication with those marooned in flood water.
According to a statement issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, a total of five relief camps have been opened, with nearly 10,000 people taking refuge in these centres.
The Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger level at Neematighat.
The authorities, in the meanwhile, temporarily suspended the plying of all kinds of boats, including both mechanized and manual, on Brahmaputra with immediate effect to prevent any accidents due to a sudden increase in water level.