77 dead in Assam floods, landslides

The current wave of floods in Assam has so far claimed 61 lives while another 16 persons were killed in rain-induced landslides in two districts of Kamrup and Dima Hasao. Ten persons have been reported missing due to floods that inundated vast areas in 23 out of the total 27 districts in the state.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA president Sonia Gandhi are expected to make an aerial survey of the flood scene in the worst affected Majuli River Island in Jorhat district, an official source informed. Majuli River island in Brahmaputra River, has reeled under worst ever flood in its recent history. The island is considered seat of Vaishnav culture and religion in the State and houses numerous Satras (monasteries).

The flood have deluged more than 2,166 villages under 113 revenue circles across 23 districts affecting a population about two million (20 lakhs). "Although the rain has eased since yesterday and the water level in rivers is showing a receding trend, the flood situation still remains grim," Assam Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka said.

About five lakh flood-hit people are lodged in 768 relief camps set by the administration. So far over 2.2 lakh marooned persons have been evacuated from various parts of the state. The state has deployed 16 teams of NDRF, seven teams of Army and 20 teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in flood relief and rescue operation.

The NDRF teams have been deployed in districts of Barpeta, Dhemaji, Dima Hasao, Jorhat, Kamrup (metro), Kamrup, North Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia. Seven teams of the Army have been deployed in flood relief and rescue operation in districts of Barpeta, Dhemaji, Dima Hasao, Sivasagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.

The Indian Air Force choppers were used to evacuate some distressed people in remote parts of Dhemaji and Tinsukia districts.

Assam government is preparing to provide Rs 1.5 lakh as ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of each of those killed due to flood and landslides in the State. The Prime Minister has announced Rs one lakh compensation for each of the deceased and equal amount of compensation has been announced by Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi to be paid from his relief fund.