Nine people, including three children, lost their lives in Assam’s floods on Sunday, and over 42 lakh people were affected across 31 districts, an official bulletin said.
Six people drowned in flood waters and three died in landslides in different parts of Assam, according to the daily flood report of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
Incessant rains and subsequent floods in the northeast region have caused landslides and also left major roads in big cities like Guwahati flooded.
So far, 71 people lost their lives in this year’s flood and landslides in the state.
The IMD has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for Monday, while a ‘Yellow Alert’ has been issued for Tuesday to Thursday.
“Widespread rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning/heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely to continue over Northeastern states during the next 48 hours and a decrease in rainfall intensity thereafter,” it said.
Flood mayhem in other northeast states
Besides Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh are also reeling under flash flood due to torrential rains.
In Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, one death each was reported on Sunday, according to ASDMA.
Till now, more than 30 people lost their lives in Arunachal Pradesh.
In neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, water from river Subansiri has submerged a dam that was under construction for a hydroelectric power project, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, the National Highway-6, which connects Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the southern part of Assam with the rest of the country remained closed for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday due to landslides.
The single line railway route, which links these states to the rest of the country, also remained cut off for the last 38 days, IANS reported.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the restoration work is being hampered due to continuous rains.
“All efforts are being made to restore the entire damaged portion of the road to ensure accessibility. However, there is a huge challenge, as the rains are continuing. It is only when the rain abates and the flow of water is diverted, the affected area can be restored,” the Chief Minister said.
“The rain has been unprecedented, breaking records of the past 40 years in some areas. Apart from damage to the highways, important road links in rural areas, bridges have been washed away. It’s financial implication will be very high impacting livelihood of the people. Damage to livestock, farming activities across the state is another concern,” he added
