Assam In Dismay: From Covid, Oil Well Blast To Floods & Landslides; State Facing Major Human Tragedy

On the whole, Assam's death toll due to floods and landslides in this year has gone up by 97. While 71 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides

Mangaldoi: Flood-affected villagers on a waterlogged street, at Gerimari village in Mangaldoi district, Thursday, July 16, 2020. (PTI Photo)

First hit by Coronavirus pandemic, followed by a terrifying blast at a oil well, Assam is now in severe dismay and chaos after being bombed with second wave of floods and landslides. There seems to be no better days coming soon for the residents of India's North Eastern state who are forced to live in horrific condition. Floods And Landslides In Assam:  Assam suffers once again due to downpour in the state. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at many places in the state, including Guwahati. According to the daily bulletin of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood water has now entered even the vast areas of Assam. The streets are flooded and so are the houses. Many people are leaving their homes to migrate to a safer place, giving the rest of the nation chills down the spine. Going by the various media reports, at least 27 of the total 33 districts of Assam are affected due to the violent flow of flood-water post downpour. More than 65 people have lost their lives in the natural calamity whereas nearly 40 lakh people are homeless amid the deteriorating flood situation, triggered by heavy rains. On the whole, Assam's death toll due to floods and landslides in this year has gone up by 97. While 71 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed the Deputy Commissioners of all the affected districts to address the needs of the flood-hit people urgently while also adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. Massive Fire At Oil Well In Tinsukia Distrcit A massive fire broke out at the leaking natural gas producing well of Oil India Ltd in Assam's Tinsukia district last month on June 9. An OIL press release said that the well caught fire even while the clearing operations were on at the well site. Farm lands with standing crops, as well as ponds and wetlands in the adjoining villages were badly affected. Many small tea growers in the area also claimed layers of gas condensates in their tea gardens. As many as 700 families, comprising 3,500 people, had earlier been shifted to three relief camps after the leakage began. Spike In Death Toll Due To Coronavirus In Assam One of worst-hit COVID-19 states, Assam has recently recorded a drastic spike in the number of death cases due to the deadly Coronavirus infection. From 12 on July 1, the number of people with or without co-morbidities who succumbed to the novel Coronavirus reached 46 on July 14. Going by the latest updates from Union health ministry, Assam has recorded a total of 18,666 cases of Coronavirus till date. While 12,173 people have been recovered and discharged from the hospitals, 46 people lost their lives due to the deadly disease. Few districts including Guwahati are meanwhile under strict lockdown till July 19. State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has dropped a hint that the State government is not in the mood to extend the lockdown period any further.