The flood situation in Assam remained unchanged on July 17 with the death toll mounting to 30. The floods till now have affected over 55 lakhs population.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) informed that the number of affected districts has come down to 29 from 30 in the last 24 hours.
As many as 10 casualties were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 30, including two in landslides. Altogether 4626 villages in 114 revenue circles of the state continued to reel under waters.
More than 1.50 lakh people are taking shelter in 427 relief camps, while 392 relief distribution centres are also operational.
The water level of almost all major rivers continued to flow above the danger level, including the Brahmaputra at five places.
In the Kaziranga National Park, at least 51 wild animals including five rhinos, one elephant, 34 hog deer and four wild boars among others have died over the last one week or so.
NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) teams, along with army and other agencies, continued to assist in the flood-affected areas for search and rescue operation.
Meanwhile, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on July 17 took stock of flood situation in Barak valley and assured all government support for the relief, rescue and reconstruction works in the affected areas.
Chairing a flood review meeting in Karimganj, Sonowal asked the functionaries associated with flood rescue and relief to submit a detailed report highlighting the extent of damage caused by the flood for the government to take up reconstruction work at the earliest.
He also emphasised on the scientific study of the course of the rivers Longai, Kushiyara, Shingla and Barak so that the damage perpetrated by the rivers could be minimised.
He also informed in the meeting that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister are in constant touch with the state government on the flood situation. The CM also visited relief camps set up at Karimganj government HS School and Nagendra Nath Tilokchand MV School and interacted with the inmates there.
Later, he visited Malini Beel relief camp at Silchar in Cachar district and spent time with the inmates there. Sonowal also held a review meeting on the prevailing flood situation in the district with government officials.
