Assam Floods: The death toll from floods in Assam has risen to 27 this year, affecting at least 390,000 people across 19 districts, according to reports from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Friday evening.
Officials reported that over 171,000 people have been displaced, with only 15,160 taking shelter in temporary relief camps. The state government has established 245 relief camps in 17 districts, with Karimganj having the highest number of camps.
Assam experienced its first wave of floods in the last week of May due to Cyclone Remal, followed by a second wave last week with the early arrival of the monsoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that Assam received 422.2 mm of rainfall between June 1 and 19, 51% higher than normal. The situation slightly improved on Friday, with rainfall recorded at 74% below normal.
Disaster management officials reported that three major rivers—Barak, Kushiyara, and Kopili—are flowing above the danger level. Floods are currently impacting at least 19 districts, including Kamrup, Tamulpur, Hailakandi, Udalguri, Hojai, Dhubri, Barpeta, Biswanath, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Baksa, Karimganj, South Salmara, Goalpara, Darrang, Bajali, Nagaon, Cachar, and Kamrup (M).
Karimganj is the hardest hit, with 240,000 people affected as of Friday. The district has seen at least seven deaths due to floods and landslides, according to District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) officials.
In Barpeta, a 7-year-old boy died on Friday after a boat carrying 10 passengers capsized near the Sarukhetri area on Thursday afternoon, according to the DDMA. “Other passengers, including four minors, were rescued, but one student went missing. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed for the rescue operation and recovered the body on Friday,” an official said.