Flood scene in Assam further worsened on May 27 as the state reported first death due to flood this year which has now affected over 2.71 lakh population in 11 districts amid spikes in COVID-19 cases.
One person in Rongjuli, in Goalpara, lost his life in floods, as per Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin on May 27.
The first wave of floods has now impacted 2,71,655 people of whom 16,720 are already taking shelter in 57 relief camps. A total of 2678 hectares of crop lands are submerged in the state.
According to the ASDMA bulletin, 321 villages in 21 revenue circles have been affected and most affected people – numbering 2.15 lakh – are in Goalpara where 16037 people have moved to relief camps that officials claimed were opened following COVID-19 protocols.
West Karbi-Anglong (1 revenue circle), Hojai (2 revenue circle), Barpeta (1), Nagoan (1) were added to the list of seven districts inundated on May 27 – Lakhimpur (2), Goalpara (3), Dibrugarh (1), Dhemaji (1), Nalbari (5), Tinsukia (2), and Darrang (2) districts.
In Dima Hasao district, four villages reported landslides where 18 houses fully and 12 houses were partially damaged affecting over 72 people.
The Jia Bharali was flowing above the danger level in Sonitpur district, the Puthimari in Kamrup and the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger mark at Neematighat.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on May 27 reviewed the flood situation in the state in a meeting with the officials of Assam State Disaster Management Authority and top officials of various other departments in Guwahati.
Sonowal directed for ensuring all COVID-19 protocols like physical distancing, hand washing, wearing of masks etc. at the flood relief camps so that community spread of COVID-19 cases can be contained during the flood season.
Issuing instructions to deputy commissioners of all districts to keep soap and water for hand washing, masks for inmates while properly sanitizing the flood relief camps, Sonowal directed district administrations to ensure that no irregularities take place while distributing relief materials.
Sonowal also directed the power department to take necessary measures to prevent incidences of electrocution in flood-affected areas of the state.
An amount of Rs 386 crore has been released by central government as the first installment this year to State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
