India: 60,000 affected by floods in Assam /update 1

Event

Assam's Chief of Minister of State, Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced that severe flooding in Assam has affected around 60,000 people, displacing 4000, and leaving 17 dead from June 12 to June 19. At least 165 villages have been impacted in the districts of  Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Darrang, Dhemaji, and Karimganj. Several hectares of farmland have been destroyed, and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has opened eight relief camps where over 3000 people are currently taking ​shelter. Assam's state government has also announced that families of flood victims will receive some financial aid by June 21.

Heavy rains have also been recorded in other northeastern states, and three people were killed in Meghalaya after a landslide caused by torrential rains on Saturday, June 13.

Continued heavy rain is forecast until at least June 26 by the National Weather Forecasting Center of the India Meteorological Department, and flooding conditions may worsen in the coming days, leading to likely transportation disruptions and other infrastructural damage.

Context

Heavy rain from June 12 to June 19 in the northeast of India has submerged several areas, triggering accidents, fatalities, and water-logging in many cities.

The monsoon season in the northeast of India usually begins in late July and ends in September, however the rainy season has started early over the past few years.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.