Union minister Kiren Rijiju will lead a high-level central team to assess and supervise rescue and relief operations in flood affected areas in the North East. <br/><br/>During the three-day tour, beginning today, the central delegation will visit Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, where more than 15 lakh people have been marooned by flood water. <br/><br/>The team includes members from National Disaster Management Authority, NITI Aayog and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). <br/><br/>All defence and Central Armed Police forces along with state agencies are involved in the rescue and relief operation in these states. <br/><br/>The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement issued yesterday, if situation arises, additional central forces can be deputed from other parts of the country. <br/><br/>Our guwahati correspondent reports today Mr. Rijiju will visit Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam and state ministers Keshab Mahanta and Naba Doley will accompany him. At least 44 people have lost their lives in Assam where 17 lakh people in 24 districts have been affected by the deluge.