Assam Flood Fury: 11 Killed In 24 Hours, Nearly 43 Lakh People Affected

Assam Flood: The northeastern state of Assam has been in the grip of devastating floods for the past one week, affecting nearly 43 lakh people in 33 of the 36 districts.

A man carries his belongings through a flooded area after heavy rains in Morigaon district of Assam (Source: AFP)

New Delhi: At least 11 people have died in floods and landslides in the past 24 hours, said Assam State Disaster Management Authority as reported by news agency ANI. Union Home Minister Amit Sah called Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma twice on Monday. In the first phone call, he inquired about the flood situation and in the second phone call informed him that a central team would soon visit the state to assess the damage caused by the floods.

11 people died in floods and landslides in the last 24 hours: Assam State Disaster Management Authority

— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2022

The northeastern state of Assam has been in the grip of devastating floods for the past one week, affecting nearly 43 lakh people in 33 of the 36 districts. A total of 73 people have died in Assam's floods and landslides this year.

"An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) will visit the flood-affected areas of Assam and Meghalaya to assess the damages. After the earlier spell of floods, an IMCT visited the affected areas of Assam from 26 May to 29 May 2022," said Shah in his Tweet.

An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) will visit the flood-affected areas of Assam and Meghalaya to assess the damages. After the earlier spell of floods, an IMCT visited the affected areas of Assam from 26 May to 29 May, 2022.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 20, 2022

"Spoke to CM Assam @himantabiswa and CM Meghalaya @SangmaConrad to discuss the situation in parts of both states in the wake of heavy rainfall and flooding. Modi government stands firmly with the people of Assam and Meghalaya in this hour of need," he tweeted.

Spoke to CM Assam Shri @himantabiswa and CM Meghalaya Shri @SangmaConrad to discuss the situation in parts of both states in the wake of heavy rainfall & flooding.
Modi government stands firmly with the people of Assam and Meghalaya in this hour of need.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 20, 2022

In a tweet, Chief Minister Sarma said, "Hon HM Shri @AmitShah ji called twice since morning to enquire about the flood situation in Assam. He informed that a team of officials shall soon be sent by Ministry of Home Affairs to assess the damages caused by the natural calamity. Grateful to HM for his help."

"For the first time in the history of Assam, a special IAF plane will carry 1 lakh litre of diesel and petrol to Silchar on June 21. Northeast Frontier Railway has also agreed to run a special relief train," said CM Sarma.

For the first time in the history of Assam, a special IAF plane will carry 1 lakh litre of diesel and petrol to Silchar on June 21. Northeast Frontier Railway has also agreed to run a special relief train: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma pic.twitter.com/MGfRNoxL48

— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2022

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also called up the Chief Minister of Assam on Saturday to take stock of the situation and assured him of all possible help from the Centre.

Meanwhile, Sarma held a virtual meeting with state ministers, senior officials and district deputy commissioners to review the flood situation. He directed to give top priority to the rescue and relief operations.

Sarma asked the Deputy Commissioners to take the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in transporting relief material to the areas where NDRF or SDRF boats have not yet reached.