Assam: Flood situation in Barpeta still grim, 1.35 lakh people affected

Barpeta (Assam) [India], July 5 (ANI): The flood situation in Assam’s Barpeta district is still grim, as over 1.35 lakh people have been affected.

The flood waters have submerged 1435.6 hectares of crop area in the district. 152 villages under Kalgachia, Barpeta, Chenga, Baghbar revenue circles of the district are affected in the deluge.

In Chenga Assembly Constituency, at least 60 villages, Char areas (riverine areas) have been affected and people are facing massive problems due to the flood.

Many flood-affected people have been forced to live along with domestic animals on higher lands after the flood waters inundated their houses.

Rojana Ahmed, a flood victim in Chenimari Balitari char area, told ANI that every year they are facing similar problems.

“In last 7 days, we have lived around water. All household goods and many document papers have been damaged in the floods. We are suffering a lot. Everywhere there is only water, roads cannot be seen. We are also facing food and drinking water scarcity. A country-made boat is the only transport carrier for us. The administration has only given tirpal and cattle foods, not rice, dal, etc. We are now living here along with cattle and goats. We can’t sleep at night. We can’t describe the problems which we are facing,” Rojana Ahmed said.

Jahangir Alam, flood victim in Chenimari Char area, said that now the water level is slightly receding, but the situation is still grave.

“All people of Char areas are now living in relief camps or taking shelter in the highlands. People are now facing a food crisis as well. People have now been forced to drink river water. There are massive problems,” Jahangir Alam said.

Around 61600 people alone are affected in Chenga revenue circle areas.

Nausad Ali, another flood-affected villager, said, “We are facing many problems due to flood and every year the same problem is here.”

“There is still 4-5 feet of deep water inside my house and along with my family, I am now living in a relief camp,” Nausad Ali said.

Jakir Dewan, villager of Chenimari Char, said that, now the water is slightly receding, but the situation is still critical.

“Many villagers are still living with water around. As many as 10,000 people have been affected in this area. People are facing lots of problems here. The local MLA and leaders are yet to visit this area. Most of the villagers are working in the farming sector and they are only reliant on it, but the flood waters submerged all crop areas. Many people didn’t take out their valuable household goods from their houses due to the heavy flood. People have suffered massive losses. If the government will not help these people, then they will face more problems,” Jakir Dewan said.

The district administration has set up 24 relief camps and distribution centres in different flood hit areas of the district.

The flood situation in Assam is critical with a total death toll of 52 and about 21.13 lakh people are affected in 29 districts by the second wave of flood.

According to the flood report of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 6 people died in the last 24 hours in the state the total death toll has risen to 52.More than 3.86 lakh people are taking shelter in 515 relief camps and distribution centres set up by the administration in 24 flood-hit districts.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said that 11,20,165 animals were also affected by the deluge.The number of affected villages has risen to 3,208 while devastating floodwaters have resulted in the death of 31 wild animals in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP), the field director of KNP said.