Heavy rains in different parts of Assam have resulted in the deaths of at least three people, reports on Sunday evening said. Approximately 57,000 people have been affected by flooding in multiple districts such as Cachar, Dhemaji, Hojai, Karbi Anglong West, Kamrup (M), Nagaon and Nalbari.
The Indian Air Force, Army, state disaster relief force and paramilitary personnel have been pressed into rescue and relief operations. The rains over the weekend have damaged roads, bridges and irrigation canals in the districts of Hojai, Lakhimpur and Nagaon.
The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said 222 villages were affected by the heavy rains. “In Cachar 138 villages have been affected, in Dhemaji 2, in Hojai 34, in Karbi Anglong West 5, in Nagaon 39 and in Nalbari 4,” Times now reported.
The IMD has forecast that rainfall would continue in Assam into this week.
Landslides have been reported in parts of Dima Hasaon district. News 18 reported “nearly 222 villages under 15 revenue circles are reeling from the adverse effects of the flash floods. This led to the damage to 10321.44 hectares of cultivated land, which has submerged under floodwaters.”
The Railways has cancelled 17 trains passing through the region due to damage to tracks and bridges. News 18 quoted officials as saying it would take several days to restore connectivity completely.
The Indian Air Force on Sunday rescued 119 passengers stranded on the Silchar-Guwahati Express, which was halted in Cachar due to heavy rain.