By our Staff Reporter/IANS

GUWAHATI, July 5: The death toll in the State floods on Thursday rose to 116 even as the waters started to recede in most of the 27 affected districts except Dhemaji. About 16 people died due to landslides in Dima Hasao and Kamrup (Metro) districts in the current wave of floods.  

However, the rising water level of the Jiadhal river submerged several villages in Dhemaji district on Thursday morning. The surging waters have also affected parts of National Highway 52 in the district. People there have been shifted to higher places. The administration was extending all possible help to the flood victims.

The waters of Brahmaputra river that flooded the district along with other parts of the State since June 22 have started to recede and people have begun returning to their homes from relief camps.

With 31 deaths, Barpeta district in lower Assam recorded the highest number of human casualties due to floods till Thursday.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said conditions were improving in almost all the 27 districts except Dhemaji.

Over 800,000 people are still affected by floods in 12 districts while conditions have improved in 15 districts till Thursday. Around 2,99,872 people have been residing in 536 relief camps in 12 districts. The State Government had set up 622 relief camps.

The floods have breached 42 embankments in the Brahmaputra Valley including that of the Brahmaputra and 14 of its tributaries. In Barak Valley, the rising water level of Longai river breached an embankment in Karimganj district.

The floods have damaged 2,847 black-topped roads, it said. Around 400 bridges, both concrete and wooden, have also been damaged.