Assam CM urges everyone to stay indoors amid fresh spell of rains in Guwahati

Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 7 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday urged everyone to stay indoors following another round of heavy rain in the city.

In a post on X, CM Himanta said, “Guwahati is experiencing another round of heavy rain. We request everyone to stay indoors and avoid using vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, please avoid vehicular movement towards the downtown hospital areas on GS Road.”

A total of 880 casualties have been reported as a result of devastating floods in Assam from 2019 to July 25 this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha by MP Sushmita Dev, Minister of State of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that, as per information furnished by the State Government of Assam, 880 casualties have been reported due to floods in Assam from 2019 to July 25 this year.

He further said that the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have prepared a state-level flood hazard zonation atlas for Assam using satellite data of 1998-2023. This serves as non-structural resources for flood hazard management, for developmental planning.

Rai further said that alerts are provided to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) with a lead time of 24 to 36 hours.

The flood in Assam has claimed lives of 215 animals including 13 one-horned rhinos at Kaziranga National Park this year so far, officials said.

Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park said that, 13 one-horned rhinos died after drowning in flood water in the national park.

“168 Hog Deer, 2 Swamp Deer, 5 Wild Pig, 8 Porcupine sp., one each Wild Buffalo and Sambar died in drowning in flood waters, 2 Hog Deer died in vehicle hit, 18 others animals died under care and one Otter (pup) died in other reason during flood time,” Sonali Ghosh said.