In Assam, the flood condition in Dhemaji district has improved which has affected 330 villages in the district.The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing below the danger level except at Nematighat and Dhubri.The death toll has gone up to 125 due to the flood and landslides .Official sources said that Rajesh Gopal,Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority will visit the Kaziranga park to assess the situation. The team will also review the relief and rescue measures for wild life as animal deaths have risen to 595. Official sources said that a seven member Central team has reached Guwahati. They will hold meetings with state government officials on the flood situation today. Later, the team will visit flood affected districts to assess the damage caused by floods.
The AIR correspondent reports that the recent flood,the worst since 1988, damaged infrastructure, croplands and national parks. Flood water damaged an RCC bridge and washed away 11 timber bridges and 12 culverts. Surging water also hampered movement of vehicles on the National Highways and State PWD roads at many places. The rail track has been extensively damaged by landslides in Lumding-Badarpur Division. Around 2 lakh 55 thousand hectare standing crop has been damaged due to the flood. The indigenous fire cracker and bell metal industries in Barpeta were also forced to down their shutters temporarily. The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries were also breached at 53 points. Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh already announced an ad-hoc package of 500 crore rupees to the state. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged the Prime Minister for a financial package of 11 thousand 316 crore rupees for relief and rehabilitation.
The Environment and Forests ministry team will review the relief and rescue measures for wildlife as the animal deaths have risen to 595. The ministry had undertaken a review of the impact of floods in Kaziranga National Park, Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary and Loakhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Our correspondent reports that, out of the 595 animals killed, around 512 were hog deer that failed to navigate high speed of water. However, lesser casualty of bigger animals such as elephants and rhinos were reported.
