Guwahati: The flood situation in Assam turned critical on Tuesday with all 33 districts of the state coming under the grip of the deluge, which has so far claimed 17 lives and affected over 45 lakh people, officials said Tuesday. According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries are flowing above the danger level in most of the affected districts, including in Guwahati. More than 45 lakh people have been affected in 4,620 villages of the state, with 1,01,085 people taking refuge in 226 relief camps.

As many as 562 distribution centres have been set up for providing relief to the affected people, it said. With two persons dying due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, the toll in the current wave of flood has risen to 17, officials said, adding the Army is helping in rescue operations and the BSF has also been called out for assistance in the border districts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are working round the clock in the flood affected areas, they said. In Guwahati, waters of the Brahmaputra river has submerged Uzanbazar, Kharguli and Bharalamukh areas while the situation in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has turned critical as vast stretches of land has been inundated and animals are moving towards higher lands. Forest and police personnel are maintaining a strict vigil to ensure safety of animals.