Over 100 villages, 50,000 people hit by floods in Assam

The flood situation in Assam took a serious turn on Thursday with over 100 villages inundated and nearly 50,000 affected people so far.

Ten more villages have been affected in worst-hit Dhemaji district taking the total to 35. An additional 10,000 people have been hit, the district administration said.

"There has been no casualty so far," an official said.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said that apart from Dhemaji, 70 villages have been affected in Golaghat, Kamrup, Karimganj and Jorhat districts.

While about 35,000 people are affected in Dhemaji, nearly 15,000 people are suffering in the other four districts.

The people in the villages have left their homes to take shelter on highlands.

Besides, over 900 hectares of agricultural land with standing crops are under water and nearly 5,500 animals and poultry are affected, ASDMA said.

People alleged that they have not received any relief and there were no rescue measures from the government, leading to protests during the day.

However, official sources said the district administration has directed the authorities concerned to provide adequate relief to the affected people.

The flood this season has also damaged six roads in Golaghat and a bridge. Embankments were breached at two places in Karimganj.

Photograph: Reuters