The flood situation in Assam continues to be critical yet again and more than 1.15 lakh people are sheltering in relief camps set up by the state government in relief camps across some flood-hit districts.
As the incessant rain and overflowing rivers have inundated villages and destroyed the roads and damaged infrastructure, and disrupted life in most of the affected areas and the disaster relief and recovery operations are going on, rescue and relief efforts in the state have been intensified.
Based on official reports, thousands of families have been evacuated from low-lying areas as floodwater reached residential neighborhoods, agricultural fields, schools and public roads. Relief camps are helping displaced residents to gain temporary shelter, food, drinking water, medical treatment and other basic services.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration and volunteers, have been carrying out rescue missions in the worst-hit districts. Boats have been deployed to evacuate stranded residents and emergency teams are monitoring water levels.
Several major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, are still above the danger level especially as rainfall in Assam and other states continues to be heavy. Floodwater has inundated large swamps of farmland, and crops are already losing to crop damage and livestock farmers are suffering.
In addition to residential damage, transportation has also been affected. Roads have been washed away or submerged in many districts and are hard to access to remote villages. Some schools in areas affected by floods have been closed and communication and electricity services have been interrupted in some areas.
Health officials are also trying to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases in relief camps. Health care teams have been sent to check on health status, distribute medicines and supply clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.
The state government has also advised residents living in areas near riverbanks and areas where flood threats are more likely to be vigilant and heed evacuation alerts issued by district officials.
Flooding in Assam is a daily problem, especially during the monsoon season. Brahmaputra river systems are overflowing due to heavy rainfall across the northeastern part of the state and upstream catchment areas and millions of people are affected every year due to heavy rainfall. In these areas many experts have stressed the necessity of reinforcing embankments, improving drainage infrastructure and long term flood management strategies.
Relief materials, including food packets, blankets, clean drinking water and other essentials, are being quickly distributed among the affected families. Government agencies and humanitarian organisations are working together to get the assistance to the people who need it now.
Weather officials say more rain is expected to make rivers swollen and residents should be wary of being flooded in the next few days, warnings say.
The administration has said that rescue and relief efforts will continue to be carried out until normalcy is restored to the area and damage assessments will be done once floodwater levels recede.
As Assam is weathering another severe monsoon flood, we must continue to safeguard lives, help displaced communities, and provide for easy rehabilitation for families that suffered so much damage.
