Flood in Assam: 6.80 lakh people impacted; UNICEF deploy teams to assist DDMA’s including Cachar

May 22: The state of Assam has been facing severe Flood and Landslide since last ten days (i.e. from 13th May, 2022). As per CWC (Central Water Commission) bulletin this morning (22.05.2022; 08:00 AM) rivers namely Kopili (at Kampur, Nagaon and Dharamtul, Nagaon); Disang (at Nanglamuraghat, Sivasagar); Barak (at AP Ghat, Cachar & BP Ghat Karimganj) and Kushiyara (at Karimganj) are flowing above danger level.

In last 24 hours, 31 districts viz. Baksa, Barpeta, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Dima-Hasao, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Hojai, Jorhat, Kamrup, Kamrup (M), Karbi Anglong West, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, South Salmara, Tinsukia and Udalguri have reported flood.

In last 24 hours, two districts viz. Dima-Hasao and Kamrup Metro has also reported landslide incidents. Total 81 Revenue Circle and 2,248 villages have been impacted by flood and landslide incidents. About 6.80 lakh people were impacted, out of which 74,907 people are taking shelters in 282 relief camps. Relief materials were also distributed to other affected population who are not taking shelters in relief camps through 214 nos. of relief distribution centres/ points opened temporarily.

NDRF, Indian Army, Civil Defence, Paramilitary forces, Indian Airforce, WRD has been helping the district administration in safe evacuation of people from affected areas apart from our own SDRF, Fire & ES personnel, Police forces, AAPDA Mitra Volunteers of ASDMA etc. So far 26,236 number of people have been safely evacuated by the above forces/ agencies. A total of 18 persons have lost their life due to flood and landslide in this season (i.e. from 6th April, 2022).

NHAI assured to restore the National Highway from Jatinga to Harangajao in Dima Hasao district within 1 week.  In view of the current flood and landslide situation in the State, Chief Secretary, Assam reviewed the flood preparedness of all the stakeholders along with ASDMA and further expedited the response & recovery services by deployment of additional resources and support system to the severely affected districts.

Today morning Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted 12 MT of essential items and 6 kiloliter diesel from Jorhat to Liasang, Hajadisha and Khetre of Dima Hasao.  Assam Government has allotted additional Rs. 2 crores each to Cachar and Dima Hasao district for releasing Gratuitous Relief to the affected people. Hojai district has been released additional budget of Rs. 3 crore for providing Gratuitous Relief to flood affected people.

UNICEF has supported by deploying 7 teams of technical specialists and consultants to assist DDMAs of Cachar, Hojai, Darrang, Biswanath, Nagaon, Morigaon and Dima Hasao to monitor flood relief camps in accordance with the relief camp management SOP, assess ground situation & needs and support relevant stakeholders in strengthening the response activities. A team of specialists from NESAC/ ISRO is already doing rapid damage assessment in Dima Hasao using drones and satellite data to inform the post disaster need assessment later. 4 teams of NDRF with 20 boats were deployed in Cachar, Hojai, Nagaon and Dima-Hasao.