This story is from July 31, 2020

One more dies in Assam floods, toll 108

One more dies in Assam floods, toll 108
Villagers on a banana raft move to a safer place at Goalbil in Baksa on Thursday
GUWAHATI: Assam floods claimed one more human life in flood-hit Morigaon district, taking the death toll in the Assam floods since to 108. Another 26 were killed in landslides triggered by intermittent heavy rain during the period.
Officials of the state disaster management authority said over 12 lakh people continue to be affected across 22 districts while the number of people in relief camps reduced considerably to 29,981 from 37,012 during the last 24 hours.

Goalpara continues to be the worst-affected district with 3.75 lakh people marooned followed by Morigaon (2.34 lakh), Dhubri (1.51lakh) and Barpeta (over 78,000).
Officials said the situation this time had worsened due to the damage and breaching of over 217 embankments. The floods have also damaged 187 bridges and culverts in 26 districts and 1,937 roads across 30 districts.
The water level in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve reduced substantially overnight. Officials said 60% of the park is now under water.
Assam governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday visited the flood-hit Barpeta and Baksa districts where the overflowing rivers created havoc, rendering thousands of people homeless. Mukhi expressed concern over the extensive soil erosion perpetrated by Beki during its meandering course through Barpeta and Baksa districts.

For protection of most affected reaches an integrated scheme under ‘Integrated Flood and Erosion Management of Manas and Beki River in the district of Baksa and Barpeta in Brahmaputra Valley within Assam’ amounting to Rs.203.25 crore has been sent to Central Water Commission, New Delhi for technical clearance and proposed for World Bank Funding.
“These measures have become a part of the sequel of steps that the government has been taking to find out the durable solution to the flood and erosion caused by Beki river. He would take up the matter with the central leadership in New Delhi in getting the scheme sanctioned,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, incessant rainfall since this morning inundated many areas of the city, once again exposing the city’s inadequate drainage system. Water receded within about three hours.
Guwahati received 17.6 mm rainfall since Wednesday 8.30 am to Thursday 8.30 am.
A couple of smart showers since morning affected several roads and most bylanes in the city. The bylanes of Nalapara, Baisistha, Ganeshguri, Chandmari, Beltola, Birubari, Hatigaon, Bhangarah among others, were affected. Usually a downpour is sufficient to inundate the city’s low-lying areas, which caused immense hardship to the people.
Guwahati traffic police issued traffic alert said, “Traffic is very slow under the Bhangarah flyover due to waterlogging and heavy rush.”
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