Assam floods: Toll rises to 98 as 1.55 lakh people remain affected across 13 districts

People shift their belongings to a safer place on a boat following floods. (Pic/PTI)

The flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim on Friday, with the death toll rising to 98 even as the number of people affected by the deluge fell to 1,55,849 across 13 districts, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

The latest fatality was reported from the Mahmora revenue circle in Charaideo district, the bulletin said.

Floodwaters continued to affect 464 villages across Sivasagar, Golaghat, Nagaon, Hojai, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, Biswanath, Kamrup Metropolitan, Lakhimpur, Udalguri, Jorhat and Charaideo.

Golaghat remains the worst-hit district

Golaghat continued to be the worst-affected district, with 58,750 people impacted by the floods. Sivasagar followed with 48,286 affected residents, while 25,259 people in Jorhat were still affected.

The latest figures indicate some improvement from Thursday, when more than 1.68 lakh people across 15 districts were reported to be affected by the floods.

Despite the decline in the number of affected people, several areas remain inundated and authorities continue to monitor river levels and provide assistance to displaced residents.

The district administrations are currently operating 55 relief camps, which are providing shelter to more than 10,000 displaced people. Another 18 relief distribution centres are also functioning to provide essential assistance in flood-hit areas.

The floods have also affected agriculture and livestock across the state. According to the ASDMA bulletin, 10,748.64 hectares of crop area remain submerged, while more than 47,000 animals have been affected.

Damage to public infrastructure has also been reported, with roads, bridges and houses among the structures affected by the floodwaters.

Rivers remain above danger level

The flood situation remains a concern in parts of the state as some rivers continue to flow above their danger marks.

The Dhansiri River was flowing above the danger level at both Golaghat town and Numaligarh in Golaghat district. The Kushiyara River was also above the danger level at Sribhumi district, according to the bulletin.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as floodwaters recede in some areas while remaining a threat in others.

(With inputs from PTI)