Torrential rains lashed most Assam, and the downpour continued today (PTI)
Over 4 lakh people are affected by heavy floods in Assam, triggered by pre-monsoon rains that left eight dead, the authorities said today, as they warned the situation could worsen.
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- At least 1,500 villages along the Brahmaputra, one of the world's largest rivers, are flooded after water level rose in the past three days.
- Torrential rains lashed most of the state, and the downpour continued today, with more forecast over the next two days.
- "More than 5 lakh people have been affected, with the flood situation turning critical by the hour," Assam's Water Resources Minister, Pijush Hazarika, told news agency Reuters.
- Indian Army personnel have rescued over 2,000 people trapped in Hojai district. The rescue efforts continue.
- Water levels in the Brahmaputra were expected to rise further, central authorities have said.
- "The situation remains extremely grave in the worst-hit Dima Hasao district, with both rail and road links snapped due to flooding and landslides," said Assam's Revenue Minister, Jogen Mohan, who is overseeing relief efforts there.
- Home Minister Amit Shah telephoned Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and assured all possible help from the central government in the wake of the floods.
- The Air Force has been asked to airdrop essentials like rice, daal and medicines in Dima Hasao, which remains cut-off for the past three days.
- The weather office has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rain in Assam and neighbouring Meghalaya, and an orange alert for the rest of the north-east on Wednesday.
- In Cachar district, the army and the Assam Rifles sent two columns for flood rescue operations.
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