Floods continue to disrupt normal life in six districts in Assam where heavy rain and overflowing rivers have stranded thousands of people.
The overall flood situation has got a bit better in recent weeks but still many low-lying areas in Assam are inundated and the government is still struggling to respond to the disaster and rescue and relief efforts are still ongoing.
According to the latest flood bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), six districts are still affected by flooding. Increasing water levels of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries have inundated villages and damaged agricultural land and disrupted road connectivity.
The affected districts are in areas where continuous rainfall over the past few days has worsened the situation. Thousands of residents have been affected with many sheltering in relief camps set up by the state administration. Food, drinking water, medical care and other essentials are being provided to displaced families.
The heavy river currents have put several embankments under pressure and authorities monitor vulnerable points 24/7. Local disaster response teams, together with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are still at work in sensitive areas in order to protect evacuation and public safety.
In the state, transportation has also been affected. Roads connecting rural villages have flooded and schools, hospitals and markets have been closed. Boat services are the only means of transportation for people living in flood-hit areas to get to and from the city.
The floods have also done extensive damage to standing crops and farmers are worried about financial losses in the new agricultural season. Agricultural experts will assess the extent of damage once floodwater levels are down and the state government has promised compensation for affected farmers.
Wildlife has not been immune to the disaster. Waterlogged conditions near protected forest areas have forced several wild animals to move to higher ground, forest officials say, and monitoring is needed to prevent human-animal conflict.
There is also intermittent rainfall forecast for the next few days in some parts of Assam according to weather officials. So residents living near riverbanks and low-lying areas should be on the alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow evacuation advisories where they are issued.
The Assam government has promised to keep up relief efforts until floodwater has completely receded. District governments are in close cooperation with emergency response agencies to allow timely assistance to be delivered to affected communities.
There are fewer affected districts now than at the onset of the monsoon season but thousands of families are displaced, homes are damaged and livelihoods lost. Citizens are advised to keep track of the weather and work with rescue workers to minimize risk.
As Assam struggles with monsoon flooding again this year, we are keeping our hands on the ground trying to save lives, restore essential services and accelerate rehabilitation once conditions improve.
