Torrential rain in NE states leaves 7 dead

Agartala/Imphal/Guwahati: Torrential rains in the past 48 hours have wreaked havoc in the north-eastern states, claiming seven lives in Assam, Tripura and Manipur, disrupting rail services and rendering thousands of people homeless across the region.

In Tripura, the state government has sought assistance of the Army and the NDRF for evacuation and rescue operations in marooned areas.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who visited the flood-hit areas of Unakoti district yesterday, briefed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the "critical situation" in the state this morning, a senior official of the state administration said. At least two villagers were swept away by strong river currents in Tripura yesterday, while over 14,000 lost their homes as the downpour submerged parts of the state, an official of State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.

The state has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in the flash floods.

Altogether, 25,805 people have taken shelter in 189 relief camps due to flash floods following incessant rainfall on June 12 and 13, said an official of State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) adding that final report is yet to be compiled. The overall flood situation in Tripura has improved as water level has started receding but the condition is still grim in Kailashahar subdivision of Unakoti district.

Five columns of Assam Rifles have been pressed into service along with NDRF to evacuate marooned people in Kailashahar subdivision, said an official of Unakoti district administration.

The situation in Assam worsened today with three persons losing their lives and nearly 1.7 lakh people affected across seven districts.

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), two persons died in a landslide in Mahur under Halflong revenue circle in Dima Hasao district and another person died in a flood related incident at Bokakhat revenue circle in Golaghat district, it added. ASDMA said 1.67 lakh people have been affected at Hojai, Karbi Anglong East, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar districts in the state's first wave of flood this year. Till yesterday, 1.49 lakh people were hit by floods across six districts in Assam. As per the report issued today, Karimganj is the worst hit with over 77,000 affected, followed by Hailakandi with more than 58,000 people affected in the deluge.

In neighbouring Manipur, the state government has declared holiday till Friday in all educational establishments and government offices in Imphal and its adjoining districts in view of the flood situation, an official release said.

Two people have drowned in swollen rivers in separate incidents yesterday, a police officer said.

Water level in major rivers of the state has receded this morning but the situation continues to remain "vulnerable", a government official said.

Acknowledging that the flood situation was "grim", Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that he had requested the officials of National Highway and Infrastructure evelopment to construct road diversion along the NH-37, which had been hit by landslides.