Heavy rainfall in the northeastern parts of the country have resulted in flash floods which have displaced almost 500,000 people with at least 15 deaths officially recorded so far. Out of the total 15 deaths, eight have been recorded in Assam, five persons have died in two separate incidents of landslides in Arunachal Pradesh and two deaths have been reported in Meghalaya.
As per the latest details provided by the Flood Reporting And Information Managment System of Assam’s State Disaster Management Authority, a total of 403,352 people from 1,089 villages in the 26 districts of the state are reeling under the floods.
The heavy rainfall which commenced on May 13 over parts of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh has continued unabated with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting further rainfall in the region for the next five days in its latest bulletin released at 4:30 pm today on May 18.
“Widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over Assam-Meghalaya and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during next 5 days. Isolated extremely heavy falls very likely over Meghalaya on 18th May,” the bulletin mentioned.
Assam’s revenue minister who is overseeing relief efforts told the press that the situation remains ‘extremely grave in the worst-hit Dima Hasao district’.
“Both rail and road links have snapped in Dima Hasao due to flooding and landslides,” Jogen Mohan, the revenue minister stated.
Also, the floods have damaged agricultural crops spread over 32,944.52 Hectares of land in Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has mourned the loss of lives and advised people living along the banks of rivers and landslide-prone areas to undertake precautionary measures.
“It pains me immensely to learn of the tragic incidents of multiple landslides in Itanagar in last 24 hours that claimed five precious lives. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Six persons are injured and are under treatment,” the chief minister stated in a Twitter post on May 16.
Security personnel from the National Disaster Relief Force, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Indian Air Force have been roped in to conduct rescue operations in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured of assistance from the Centre. “Concerned about the situation in the wake of heavy rainfall in parts of Assam. Spoke to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to take stock of the situation. NDRF teams are already been deployed. Assured all possible help from the central government,” the home minister stated yesterday.
Yesterday, the state disaster management authority in Nagaland forecasted heavy rains, flash floods, landslides and water logging in different parts of the state while Manipur is reeling under floods in the low lying areas.
