Assam floods: Over 78,000 people affected; Amit Shah speaks to CM Sarma

More than 78,000 people in 15 districts have been affected by floods in Assam, as the situation was grim on Sunday (June 1) with 10 major rivers flowing above the danger level.

Also read: 'Red alert' in most of Assam for heavy rain; Guwahati hit by massive waterlogging

Eight people have died in floods and landslides in the state so far, which has affected over 78,000 residents in more than 15 districts, officials said. Road transport, train movement and ferry services were also affected by floods and landslides.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an 'orange bulletin' for the state in view of the severe flood situation as 10 major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and Barak, were flowing above the danger level.

Also read: Bad weather forces 4 flight diversions at Delhi airport

The CWC bulletin said the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level in Dibrugarh and Nematighat (Jorhat).

Other rivers that have breached the danger mark are Dhaleswari at Gharmura (Hailakandi), Rukni at Dholai (Cachar), Katakhal at Matijuri (Hailakandi), Barak at Badarpur Ghat (Sribhumi), Buridehing at Margherita (Tinsukia), Kushiyara in Sribhumi, Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat) and Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon), it said.

Shah speaks to NE state CMs

Union Home Minister Amit Shah enquired about the flood situation in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Manipur and offered all assistance.

Also read: 28 killed in flash floods, landslides over two days as heavy rains pound Northeast

The home minister said that the Narendra Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast.

"Spoke with the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and Governor of Manipur in the wake of ongoing heavy rainfall in their states. Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation," he wrote on 'X'.

He dialled Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier in the day to take stock of the situation in the state.

"Hon'ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji called me a short while ago to enquire about the floods in Assam and has offered all possible assistance to deal with the ongoing situation," Sarma said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"I have briefed him on the measures being taken and we are grateful for his concern and support," Sarma said.

Assam CM urges people to stay alert

Sarma on Sunday advised people living in riverside and low-lying areas to remain alert.

In a post on X, Sarma issued the flood alert and said heavy rainfall has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh's Kibitoo (17 cm), Hayuliang (15 cm) and Kalaktang (10 cm), which may lead to a sharp rise in river levels downstream.

"Assam is already witnessing intense rain in Silchar (42 cm), Karimganj (35 cm), Hailakandi (30 cm) and in nearby areas. People in low-lying and riverbank areas are advised to stay alert and follow local advisories. Stay safe, stay prepared," he added.

Trains cancelled

A Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson said that in the wake of heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours and water flowing over the tracks on the Baraigram-Dullabcherra section, the Dullabcherra-Silchar passenger train, Silchar-Dullabcherra passenger train and Badarpur-Dullabcherra-Badarpur passenger train have been cancelled for two days.

The Guwahati-Dullabcherra-Guwahati train will be short terminated/short originated at/from Baraigram and remain cancelled between Baraigram and Dullabcherra till Tuesday, he added.

A portion of National Highway-17 has been overtopped near Shingra Shalnibari in Chaygaon area of Kamrup district since Saturday, officials said.

Heavy rain coupled with water flowing down from neighbouring Meghalaya has aggravated the situation in the area, they said.

Measures were being taken to facilitate traffic movement using alternative routes, they said.

Officials said ferry services between Jorhat and Majuli have been suspended with immediate effect due to the rising water level of the Brahmaputra river.

Relief and rescue operations

An Assam State Disaster Management (ASDMA) bulletin had said that till Saturday evening, five people have been killed in landslides and three in floods.

Three districts in the western part of the state were on 'red alert' on Saturday and eight more on 'orange alert', as per Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) data, even as rainwater from upstream areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya worsened the flood situation in Assam.

Multiple agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, police, fire and emergency services personnel, were pressed into relief and rescue operations, with people evacuated to safety from flood-affected areas, the officials said.

(With agency inputs)