“Next 48 hours crucial”: CM Sarma as flood situation deteriorates in Assam

After the flood-like situation deteriorated in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Monday that the next 48 hours are crucial for the state. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of all possible help, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has informed him that the NDRF and the Indian Army are ready to support the state government.

Assam Chief Minister while addressing a press conference on the flood situation in the state here said, “Prime Minister Modi has assured us of all possible help, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has informed me that NDRF and the Indian Army are ready to support the state government. The Indian Army is on standby to assist Assam.”

The flood situation in Assam has worsened since last night, with the water levels of the Brahmaputra, Neamatighat, Tezpur, and other rivers overflowing in many places.

“The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated since last night. The water level of the Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger level mark at Neamatighat, Tezpur, and other rivers are also overflowing in many places,” the CM said.

The Assam Chief Minister also said that the state’s Ministers have been directed to visit flood-hit districts, and MLAs and Ministers have been requested to assist flood-affected people.

“In view of the current flood situation, we have temporarily stopped the District Commissioners’ Meeting in Lakhimpur. I have directed Ministers to visit the flood-hit districts and requested MLAs and Ministers to stay in the affected areas and assist the flood-affected people. The next 48 hours are crucial,” Assam CM said.

Earlier on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for several northeastern states including Assam, predicting extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days.
“The IMD has alerted us to heavy rainfall in Nalbari, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Tinsukia, and other areas, and the situation is expected to be critical in the next 3-4 days,” Assam CM said.
The flood has affected 14 districts, 41 revenue circles, and 698 villages, impacting 2.74 lakh people in Assam.

“14 districts, 41 revenue circles, and 698 villages have been affected, impacting 2.74 lakh people. Unfortunately, a mother and daughter lost their lives in Dhemaji yesterday, marking the second wave of floods. The Subansiri River has crossed its highest flood level (HFL) of 2011 and 2017, and NHPC has released 409 cubic meters of excess water, affecting 21,000 people in North Lakhimpur,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister added that the flood has submerged 95 forest camps in Kaziranga, and vehicular movement has been restricted to ensure safety.

“The flood has also submerged 95 forest camps out of 233 in Kaziranga, and the water level of the Brahmaputra River is flowing above Dibrugarh town. To ensure safety, vehicular movement has been restricted in Kaziranga, with trucks barred from entering the area and personal vehicles limited to 30 km per hour,” Sarma said.

The death toll due to flood in Assam rose to 34 with the deaths of two children in the Dhemaji district on Sunday.

The flood situation in Assam deteriorated after the flood waters submerged new areas and affected over 2.62 lakh people in 12 districts.

According to the flood report of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 12 districts of the state–Kamrup, Karimganj, Tinsukia, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Majuli, Cachar, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Kokrajhar, Jorhat were affected by the second wave of flooding.