Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed for relief and rescue operations in the worst flood-affected districts of Assam. The floods have affected nearly two lakh people and claimed four lives.

According to the NDRF control room, relief and rescue operations in the districts of Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Sonitpur and Jorhat have been assisted by the force by deploying one team in each of these districts, while one team has been on vigil along the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati.

Three more teams of the NDRF are ready for deployment in flood-hit areas.

The flood situation in northern and eastern districts of Assam has turned worse after the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries like Jia Bharali, Disang, Ranganadi and Dhansiri started flowing above the danger level, inundating over 300 villages.

Over one lakh people from nearly 90 villages in Lakhimpur and Naoboicha have been hit by the floods, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur district R Gupta.

Nearly 40 relief material distribution centres have been set up in the district to provide succour to the flood-hit victims.

Over 15 villages in Sonitpur district of North Assam have been affected by the current wave of flood which has affected surface communication in parts of the state. Flood waters have also reached National Highway 52 in Lakhimpur and National Highway 37 in Jorhat.

A senior official of Kaziranga Park said at least six one-horned rhinos and a herd of elephant have crossed the NH 37 to neighbouring hills of Karbi Anglong hills to escape, much to the alarm of the wildlife protection staff.

The district administration has imposed Section 144 along the entire stretch of NH 37 and through the park to protect flood-hit animals on the busy highway.

Road barricades and signs have been put up at ten points along the stretch to control the speed of vehicles on the highway.

Park authorities has pooled in additional 150 forest personnel to gear up vigil against poachers on the prowl.