Assam flood toll rises to 20; Amit Shah speaks to Sonowal and Himanta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The flood toll in the State rose to 20 with two more persons losing their lives on Sunday even as the overall scenario remained unchanged though the continuous heavy rains stopped.

While the Brahmaputra has been flowing above the danger level in Jorhat, Tezpur, Dhubri and Guwahati, its tributaries have crossed the mark in other districts.

The Flood Report issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Sunday evening stated that 23 districts have been affected by the current wave of floods by Saturday evening. The affected districts are Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Udalguri, Darrang, Nalbari, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Dhubri, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Bongaigaon, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Morigaon.

The ASDMA report added that the flood has affected 9,26,059 people in 23 districts. A total of 27,308 people are staying in relief camps set up in different districts by the respective administration.

On other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday had telephonic conversations with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the incidents of landslide in Guwahati and other places across the State. Shah also took stock of the rising water levels of the rivers in the state and the resultant floods and landslides taking place due to the incessant rain and also of the measures taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people among others.

"Spoke to Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the alarming situation in Brahmaputra River and landslides near Guwahati. All possible help has been assured to the State. The Modi government stands firmly with the people of Assam," Shah said in his tweet.

Also watch: How flood water enters people's home