Morigaon (Assam): Continuous downpours and surging water levels of the Brahmaputra River have forced the displacement of numerous families in Assam’s Morigaon and Darrang districts.

As per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation has affected over 6.33 lakh people across 21 districts. Rescue and relief efforts are currently in progress.

Residents are now living in makeshift tents. Speaking to ANI, a local Md Raham said, "We have lived here with my family members for the last three days. The flood waters entered our house. Many food items, such as paddy rice and other household goods, have been damaged. My house is now under water. We are now facing lots of problems here, including drinking water."

Ali mentioned that although they are initially from the Darrang district, they are currently taking shelter near a highland in Morigaon.

"Not only I, but 40 other families of Hiloikhunda village are also facing similar problems. Many food items, including paddy rice, have been damaged due to the flood. If rain continues, the situation will become more critical," he added.

Many families in Morigaon have relocated to higher ground as the floodwaters rise.

Lali Khatun, another resident affected by the floods, told ANI that her family couldn't save any food grains as flood waters rushed into their home.

"We have been taking shelter here for the last 3 days. We are now facing a food crisis, drinking water problems," she said.

Heavy rainfall has led to flooding in several villages under the Mayong revenue circle in Morigaon.

The ASDMA reported 12 deaths due to the floods this year, with an additional five fatalities resulting from landslides. On Tuesday alone, six people, including two children, drowned.

The ASDMA reported one death each in the Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia districts, while one person was reported missing in Cachar.

So far, 6.33 lakh people across 21 districts—including Hailakandi, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Kamrup, Hojai, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Cachar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Majuli, Karbi Anglong West, Darrang, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, Dima-Hasao, and Jorhat have been affected.

Currently, 1506 villages under 69 revenue circles are submerged, with 14,739.33 hectares of crop area inundated.

Sribhumi district is the worst affected, with 2,31,536 people impacted, followed by Nagaon (99,819), Cachar (89,344), Hailakandi (78,038), and Lakhimpur (43,651), as per ASDMA.

Over 2.57 lakh people are sheltering in 511 relief camps and distribution centres across flood-hit areas. Additionally, 494,132 domestic animals have also been affected in the ongoing crisis, and floodwaters washed away 151 animals on Tuesday.

Teams from NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Defence, and trained volunteers are conducting rescue and relief operations. On Tuesday alone, 863 flood-affected individuals were rescued from various areas.

ANI