Guwahati, June 29 (IANS) The flood situation in Assam deteriorated on Monday with the number of affected people rising to over 45,000 across seven districts, while one person remained missing and several roads, bridges and public infrastructure suffered extensive damage due to incessant rainfall and rising river levels, officials said.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 45,839 people have been affected in Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Nalbari districts. The deluge has inundated 257 villages spread across 14 revenue circles, while nearly 4,279 hectares of crop land remain submerged.

The Disang River was flowing above the danger level at Nanglamuraghat, though no river was reported to be flowing above the highest flood level.

Dhemaji continues to be the worst-hit district with more than 41,000 affected people, followed by Dibrugarh and Chirang.

The state has opened 12 relief camps and distribution centres, where 655 displaced people have taken shelter, while relief materials are being supplied to more than 36,800 people outside camps.

The disaster management authority said one person remains missing in Dhemaji district, while no flood-related deaths have been reported in the current wave of floods so far.

Rescue operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local administration continued in the affected areas, with 157 people and 68 animals evacuated using boats.

The floods have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure. Nine houses have been fully damaged, while 16 roads, four bridges and one embankment have suffered damage or erosion.

A bridge at Kemi in Dhemaji was washed away by flash floods, disrupting connectivity, while several roads in Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Nalbari have either been submerged or eroded.

The authorities also reported that more than 76,000 animals have been affected, with 28 livestock washed away.

Educational institutions, power infrastructure and fisheries have also suffered losses in several districts.

The state government has intensified relief and rescue operations, with officials closely monitoring the flood situation as rainfall continues in several parts of Assam and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

Authorities have urged residents living in vulnerable and low-lying areas to remain alert and follow advisories issued by the district administrations.

–IANS

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