Guwahati, June 29 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the state of all possible assistance from the Centre as the first wave of floods continued to batter several districts, affecting over 22,000 people.

Taking to social media, CM Sarma said HM Shah spoke to him over the phone to enquire about the flood situation, particularly in the worst-hit Dhemaji district.

“I thank Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji for his phone call and enquiring about the flood situation in Dhemaji. I have briefed him on the relief and rehabilitation measures presently underway. He has also assured us all possible support and assistance from the Government of India to deal with this situation,” the Chief Minister posted.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 22,124 people have been affected across six districts — Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar — following incessant rainfall in Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

Dhemaji remains the worst-affected district, with 15,483 people reeling under floodwaters after continuous rainfall inundated vast stretches of the area.

The ASDMA said floodwaters have submerged 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of agricultural land, affecting standing crops and disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. It also reported that 48,199 livestock have been affected during the ongoing deluge.

The flood bulletin further stated that the Disang River in Sivasagar district is flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat, raising fears of further inundation in low-lying areas if heavy rainfall persists.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and erosion triggered the partial collapse of a railway bridge over the Simen River in Dhemaji district, disrupting rail connectivity in the region.

The Northeast Frontier Railway suspended train movement between Archipathar and Simen Chapari stations after more than 110 mm of rainfall caused severe flooding and washed away a substantial portion of the riverbank supporting one of the bridge’s piers.

Authorities said relief and rehabilitation operations are underway in the affected districts, while the administration remains on alert amid forecasts of continued rainfall.

–IANS

tdr/dpb