Northeast stares at essentials, fuels crisis after ‘first wave’ of floods

Assam MP seeks action against airlines hiking prices after disruption of surface transport

GUWAHATI

Parts of the Northeast stared at a shortage of essentials and fuel due to the snapping of an arterial railway line and roads as floodwaters inundated 29 districts of Assam leaving at least nine people dead, five of them in rain-induced landslides.

According to an update by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority [ASDMA], the “first wave” of floods have affected 4.16 lakh people across 1,374 villages and damaged 8,290 houses. More than 41,400 people have been shifted to 89 relief camps in the flood-hit districts.

The floods have so far affected 38,889.69 hectares of cropland.

“Four rivers — Kopili, Disang, Barak and Kushiyara — are flowing above the danger mark. People in vulnerable areas have been cautioned with the Met office’s prediction more rainfall in the coming days,” an ASDMA official said.

No power, Internet

Central Assam’s Dima Hasao is the worst affected district, with roads and an arterial railway line damaged at 56 sections. Landslides have hit the electricity and telecommunication infrastructure and virtually cut-off the district.