North East floods toll rises to 23: Karimganj in Assam worst-hit as situation intensifies; water level recedes in Manipur

The toll in the devastating flood in the North East has risen to 23 with six more people losing their lives in a day, according to latest reports. According to officials, though the situation has improved in Manipur, Tripura, and Mizoram on Sunday, it has worsened in Assam with over 4.48 lakh people have been affected in the deluge across six districts. While five more people died in Assam since Saturday, one person lost his life in Manipur, PTI reported. Situation worsens in Assam According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), all the five persons who lost their lives were in three districts, taking the death toll in the state to 12 in the first wave of flood this year. [caption id=“attachment_4532151” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Villagers carry clean water as they wade across flood-affected areas at Nilambazar village, in Karimganj, Assam, on Sunday. PTI[/caption] The ASDMA said over 4.48 lakh people have been affected in Hojai, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat, Karimganj, Hailakandi, and Cachar districts. According to the report issued on Sunday, Karimganj has been the worst-hit with nearly 2.15 lakh people affected followed by Hailakandi where over 1.93 lakh people have been suffering in the deluge. As of now, the Brahmaputra at Nimatighat in Jorhat, while Barak at AP Ghat in Cachar and Badarpurghat in Karimganj are flowing above the danger mark. Other rivers like Dhansiri at Numaligarh in Golaghat, Jia Bharali at NT Road crossing in Sonitpur, Kopili at Kampur in Nagaon, Katakhal at Matizuri in Hailakandi and Kushiyara at Karimganj town are also flowing above the danger mark. Water level recedes in Manipur In Manipur, water level of major rivers flowing in the five districts of the Imphal Valley has receded considerably with only Lilong River flowing a little above the “warning level”. Flood control officials said the situation has improved a lot and water level of the previously inundated localities has gone down. The Imphal river, however, is reported to be a “highest flood level” at the Minuthong area by a few margins, although in general it is below the danger mark. The Iril and Nambul rivers too have gone low below the highest flood level and there is no immediate danger with the intensity of rainfall going down. [caption id=“attachment_4532131” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] A villager transports his goods on a makeshift raft to cross across flood water, in Hojai, Assam, on Sunday. PTI[/caption] According to the latest report available from the State Relief and Disaster Management, one person drowned in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll in the state to eight. The number of livestock killed has been estimated at 400, while the area of paddy fields affected is at 3,947 hectares so far. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, during a visit to the flood-affected area of Maiba Khul and Mongjom area in Imphal East district, told reporters that he had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him about the flood situation in the state. He added that he had sought immediate flood assistance to rebuild houses, repair and construct roads damaged by the massive flood which had hit the state since last week. Situation improves in Tripura as well The overall flood situation in Tripura too improved significantly, according to latest reports, with water receding in all the major rivers of the state. However, several localities still remained submerged in the Kailashahar sub-division, leaving over 3,000 farmers jittery. [caption id=“attachment_4532141” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Villagers travel in a boat to cross across flood water, in Hojai, Assam, on Sunday.[/caption] Altogether, 32,000 people affected by the flood are still housed in 173 relief camps — mostly in worst-hit Unakoti district, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). The river Manu, which had caused extensive damage in the Kailashar and Kumarghat sub-divisions in Unakoti district, is now flowing two-metres below the danger level as there was no fresh downpour over the past 48 hours. The Manu river’s danger mark is at 24 metres, while the water level stood at 22.22 metres. Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, tweeted on Sunday, thanking the army and other departments for carrying out relief work.

Deeply appreciate the extensive efforts made by @Tripura_Police in coordination with Indian Army and various Central and State Agencies for flood relief across #Tripura. https://t.co/kjjMYENYBy

— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) June 18, 2018

When contacted, District Magistrate (DM) Unakoti district D Darlong confirmed that the overall flood situation has been better in the district but relief work was still underway. Three persons have died and seven others were injured in flood-related incidents since 5 June, while 24 huts were completely destroyed, besides leaving several acres of crops damaged, according to the latest report of the SEOC. Post-flood operations like distribution of relief materials, medical camps, and assessment of damage have already begun across the state, an official of the SEOC said. With inputs from PTI