By a Correspondent
Silchar, June 26:
Flood in Assam gets worsens today with over 25 lakhs people affected in 27 districts of the state. Manipur’s neighbour Silchar in Assam continues to be inundated. Report said that the death toll due to floods and landslides reached 121 with four deaths reported today, where 21 are reported from Cachar district.
Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma today visited Silchar and Cachar district for the second time to review the situation. Sarma had made an aerial survey in flood-affected areas of Silchar and Cachar on Thursday. The Chief Minister took a boat ride in and around the city, where over two lakh people have been affected due to severe floods since June 20.
Heavy rains on the hills of adjoining Meghalaya and Mizoram swelled the water level in the Barak river causing a breach in an embankment. This made the flood situation in Silchar and adjoining areas in the Cachar district grim since June 20.
Videos shared on social media showed people dangerously standing in waist-deep flood water for water bottles and food items being airdropped by IAF helicopters in Silchar. The NDRF personnel also continued their rescue efforts while the administration stepped up efforts to distribute drinking water and food items.
Cachar deputy commissioner, Keerthi Jalli told DH on Sunday that the administration was using drones to drop drinking water in the worst affected areas.
“There are still areas in many narrow bylanes that we couldn’t access which is currently the area we are focusing for nearby delivery with a request for taking up distribution to local volunteers, or through ropes and human chain and now we are exploring drone technology as well”, she said.
The daily flood report issued by Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Sunday said 25,10,989 people in 2,894 villages still remained affected by floods. A total of 2,33,271 people are taking shelter in 637 relief camps. Relief materials were also distributed to other affected populations, who are not taking shelter in relief camps, the official said.
The NDRF has been helping the district administration in the safe evacuation of people from affected areas apart from our own SDRF, fire and emergency service personnel, police, and others.