11 Die in Assam Flood in 24 Hours, Rescue Ops On

The current bout of floods has hit 34 districts and claimed 71 lives in Assam.

Villagers make a temporary bamboo bridge after a portion of a road was washed away by the floods at a village in Goalpara district in Assam.

(Photo: PTI)

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority said on Monday, 21 June, that a total of 11 people have died in floods and landslides in the past 24 hours, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Indian Army is engaged with relief and rescue operations after several districts were devastated by the ongoing floods and assured that the government will be able to overcome the grim situation.

He said, “Several columns of Indian Army are engaged in relief & rescue operations. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), all state govt depts, many social organisations are engaged in relief and rescue operations. We're sure that we'll be able to overcome this critical time.”

The statement comes a day after two police personnel, a constable and the officer incharge of a police station, were washed away by floodwaters in Central Assam's Kampur area, Nagaon district, late on Sunday night, 19 June.

Their bodies were found on Monday, 20 June, police said.

Sarma said, "More than 2,000 villages of Nagaon and Morigaon district are still reeling under flood waters in the state."

The Kampur Police Station officer incharge, Sammujal Kakoti had led a four-member team in a boat to Pachonijar Madhupur village after receiving information about the flooding late on Sunday night, Assam Special Director General of Police GP Singh said.

Two policemen were rescued and SDRF personnel fished out two bodies, including that of Kakoti early on Monday after searching for several hours, Singh added.

The body of Rajiv Bordoloi was recovered first by the SDRF on Monday morning.

Special Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh said in a tweet, "We salute your courage and bravery UB Constable Rajib Bordoloi of Nagaon DEF. You sacrificed your life without batting an eyelid. Your selfless act would be an inspiration to future generations of @assampolice. We bow our head in grief and gratitude. Om Shanti. (sic)"

In another tweet, Singh wrote, "We salute your courage and bravery Sub Inspector Samujjal Kakoti. You sacrificed your life without batting an eyelid. Your selfless act would be an inspiration to future generations of @assampolice We bow our head in grief and gratitude. Om Shanti."

Nagaon district has been severely affected by the ongoing devastating floods in Assam, with 3,64,459 people impacted by River Kopili which is flowing above the highest flood level at Kampur.

A total population of 42,28,157 has been affected in the current wave of floods which has hit 34 districts and claimed 71 lives, officials were quoted as saying by PTI.

Meanwhile, five other rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Paladadiya, Jia-Bharali, Manas, and Beki, are flowing above dangerous levels in the state.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI.)