Assam flood toll rises to 31

The overall flood situation in Assam improved marginally on Wednesday, even as three more persons lost their lives, taking the death toll in flood-related incidents to 31.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 68,000 people were affected by the flood in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Charaideo, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts, as against the 71,058 people on Tuesday.

Karimganj is the worst-affected district with nearly 44,000 people hit by the current wave of flood, followed by Hailakandi with around 10,000 affected people, the ASDMA report stated.

It said currently 144 villages are still inundated, while the number yesterday was 165.The Jia Bharali river is flowing above the danger mark at N T Road Crossing in Sonitpur district. Flood waters have damaged roads, embankments and other infrastructure in Biswanath and Karimganj districts.

The ASDMA said that three persons were killed in flood-related incident in as many districts since Tuesday.

One person each died at Sapekhati revenue circle in Charaideo, Sadar in Cachar and Patharkandi in Karimganj districts of the state, it said.

That authorities are running 53 relief camps and distribution centres in four districts, where 16,408 people have taken shelter, the ASDMA said.