Assam- The state of beauty in northeastern India known for Assam tea and Assam silk and its wildlife sanctuaries like Kaziranga National park, Manas National park, Dibru-Saikhowa National park. Assam is home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros along with the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger, and provides one of the last wild habitats for Asian elephants. But Assam is traditionally flood-prone. Flood is necessary for Kaziranga by virtue of its Ecosystem but now Flood happens in any other year during the monsoon period or in the month of June- August as the state is surrounded by the river Brahmaputra and the Karbi. And due to the imbalance of nature’s rules and regulations in the last couple of years this river turned out hell for living creatures of Assam and this time whole Assam facing difficulties due to the flood.
While entire India is battling the constant increase in COVID-19 cases, heavy rainfall has joined hands in doubling the challenge by weakening havoc for Assam. The Rainfall that began on July 12 has flooded the Brahmaputra, which affected around 30 districts and more than 40 lakhs people all across the state.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority(ASDMA) 40 lakh people were affected due to the flood and landslides and this year also 73 people lost their lives till the date of 16th July 2020.
The districts that have been most affected are “Dhemasi, Laxmipur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Chirag, Udalguri, Tinsukia, among others. 487 relief camps have also been set-up across the state where over 1.25 lakhs men, women, and children have been sheltered.
Many roads, bridges, culverts and other infrastructure have been damaged in floods and landslides of the state. chief minister Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal visited localities in Dhemaji on Tuesday and reviewed the flood situation. He also took stock of the situation in Lakhimpur and his home constituency Majuli.
The river Brahmaputra is also currently flowing over 85% of Kaziranga National park and Tiger Reserve. As many as 86 animals have died as the flood water submerged in it. Mr. P. Shivkumar, Director of Kaziranga national park stated that they have successfully rescued 125 animals and Mr. C.M visited to review the situation of the national park. But locals have spotted animals crossing from water. In this process, a number of animals were killed or injured by speeding vehicles on Highway 37 despite a speed limit of 40 km/hr. Until now 18 animals have been found dead by speeding vehicles on the highway.
This being the case, Assam’s disaster preparedness remains non-existent. While the state government has largely focused on short term measures like damage assessment and relief, the floods repeatedly push the state to the brink of social and economic ruin in the absence of a holistic flood control mechanism.
Helping hands are better than praying lips.
Contribute to CM relief fund
A/C Name- Chief Minister’s Relief Fund Assam
A/C no- 35969660230(SBI)
Secretariat Branch
IFSC- SBIN0010755
PAN-AAATC 4667 (Contribute through cheque or demand draft)
Visit cm.assam.gov.in/relieffund.php
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