Heavy rains, flooding, and landslides have hit several parts of Assam, cutting off-road and rail connections to the state's mainland. Communication lines have also snapped in some areas of Assam, effectively isolating those trapped in flood-ravaged and low-lying areas. According to reports, the massive landslides and waterlogging have also destroyed the state's infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and railway tracks.
After incessant rainfall for the past few days, the northeastern state has been hit by the first wave of floods this year, with river water levels gradually rising. In Assam, at least 11 people were killed in floods and mudslides caused by heavy rain.
According to the Associated Press, four people were killed on Monday as a result of heavy rain and mudslides in the region's border state of Arunachal Pradesh. Two other people were killed when their houses on a small hillock in the state capital Itanagar collapsed, and two road construction workers were killed by mudslides in another location. In neighbouring Assam, seven more people were reported killed.
Massive landslides and waterlogging have caused massive damage to the railway track, bridges, and road communications in the state's hilly terrain, causing people in several parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya to be cut off from the mainland.
Nearly 2 lakh people in Assam's districts were also cut off from the rest of the state due to landslides and washed-away roads and bridges. In these areas, communication channels have also been severed.
The flood has affected 811 villages in the state, with 1,277 houses fully damaged and 5,262 partially damaged. Many people have been forced to flee their homes after floodwaters infiltrated them, seeking refuge in schools and highlands.
For the next three days, the Indian Meteorological Department predicts very heavy to extremely heavy rain in the region. Assam will remain on 'Red Alert' until Wednesday.
In seven districts, 55 relief camps have opened, sheltering 33,000 people. Another 12 relief distribution centres are open in various affected districts. Rescue operations in flood-affected areas have been carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and locals.
