Nearly 40 lakh population has been affected by floods in Assam as the situation continued to be grim and the death toll also remained on an upward trend.
The overall death toll in floods this year has reached 71 with five new deaths reported in the last 24 hours, an Assam State Disaster Management Authority bulletin informed in the evening on July 16.
The number of total population increased by nearly five lakhs since July 15 as the figure stood at 39,79,563, with Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Darrang, Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, South Salmara and Morigaon among the worst-hit districts.
Altogether 27 districts of the state are reeling under waters, affecting 93 revenue circles and 3218 villages and localities.
Close to 50,000 displaced people are taking shelter in 303 relief camps, while another 445 relief distribution centres are also operating in the affected areas.
The Kaziranga National Park continued to remain affected, with 79 animals killed in floods, including being hit by passing vehicles, so far, while 121 more have been rescued.
Out of 223 forest camps in Kaziranga, 99 are currently affected and six have been vacated.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on July 16 took stock of the flood situation in Kaziranga National Park, inspecting the affected areas by a speed motor boat and interacting with the frontline forest personnel.
Parts of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park have also been inundated by flood waters.
