Assam flood situation worsens, one dead, 1.98 lakh affected

Assam's flood situation worsened on Thursday with over 1.98 lakh people affected in nine districts, and one person drowning to death as the water level of major rivers rose following incessant rainfall in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal, officials said. A person drowned to death in Hailakandi district, pushing the toll in the state to six due to floods and rain since Tuesday, while 18 others were injured.Altogether 1,98,856 were affected in the districts of Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, West Karbi Anglong, Cachar, Hojai, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, according to an Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) report.
Cachar is the worst affected district with 1,02,246 people reeling under flood waters, followed by 36,959 in Karimganj, 22,058 in Hojai and 14,308 in Hailakandi, among others, it said.A total crop area of 3,238.8 hectares has also been washed away, while 2,34,535 animals have been impacted.Rivers Brahmaputra and Barak, along with its tributaries, are flowing above the danger mark at several places in the affected districts, the report said.A total of 35,640 people have taken shelter in 110 relief camps with the highest of 19,646 in Hojai, followed by 12,110 in Cachar, 2,060 in Hailakandi and 1,613 in Karimganj.Life came to a standstill in the three districts of Assam's Barak Valley and Dima Hasao, while intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms have been reported from the other affected districts on Thursday. 
Train services, cancelled or short-terminated due to landslides along the Haflong-Badarpur rail route, are yet to be restored, the officials said.Ferry services in the state remained suspended for the third consecutive day, while all schools and educational institutions were closed in the affected districts.Chief Secretary Ravi Kota has directed the district commissioners to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected people