6 more die in Assam floods; rain affects life across Bihar
GUWAHATI/PATNA/DARBHANGA: Over 70 lakh people in 24 districts of Assam and three lakh people in eight districts of Bihar have been severely affected by the floods that have ravaged the two states.
In Assam, as many as six more people lost their lives in flood-related incidents on Monday, taking the total death toll to 85, said the state government. “Over 70 lakh people have been affected due to Assam floods. People, as well as animals, are being rescued from the affected areas and being shifted to relief camps and safer locations,” chief minister Sabananda Sonowal told news agency ANI .
While the flood situation in Assam remains critical with most of the rivers including the Brahmaputra flowing menacingly above the danger mark, the water level of the Barak river, which flows through Cachar district in the state, too, has been on the rise in the recent days. The overflowing of the Brahmaputra river has already damaged crops and triggered mudslides, displacing millions of people.
At least 84 people have died in Assam due to severe flooding, the State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said. At least 108 animals, including nine rhinoceroses, have died at the Kaziranga National Park due to heavy floods in Assam till Sunday.
Meanwhile, southwest monsoon remained vigorous over Bihar as northern districts including West Champaran, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and Sheohar received extremely heavy rain, said an official of Patna Meteorological Centre on Monday. Incessant rain on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, followed by continuous drizzle left several parts of Patna drenched, throwing life out of gear for residents in low-lying areas.