Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have hit more than 225,000 people in the Indian state of Assam and isolated the country’s sprawling north-east, officials said Sunday.
“Ten districts of Assam are reeling under flood waters which have affected more than 225,000 people. The situation is critical,” a statement from the flood control room said.
“More than 1,000 villages were submerged with an estimated 20,000 hectares of paddy under water,” it said.
An Assam official said road links between the seven north-eastern states, including Assam, and the rest of India were severed for a third day Sunday.
He said the Brahmaputra river was now flowing three metres (6.6 feet) above its normal level.
“Several thousands are in relief camps,” he said. “Temporary shelters are being provided to flood-hit people.”
The world’s largest river island of Majuli in eastern Assam was inundated and locals were marooned.
“Almost 80 percent of the 70,000-square kilometre (2,800-square mile) island is under water,” a local government official told AFP over the telephone.
Rangers at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, were on guard with floodwaters threatening the wildlife sanctuary.
“One third of the 430-square kilometre (172-square mile) park is under water and the endangered wildlife is migrating to nearby hills,” the official added.
