Guwahati, May 15 (IANS) Heavy rainfall triggered urban flooding in several parts of Assam’s Barak Valley on Friday, affecting thousands of people in Cachar and Sribhumi districts, officials said.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), flood-like conditions were reported mainly from Silchar town in Cachar district and the Badarpur and Sribhumi Sadar areas in Sribhumi district following incessant rainfall.

The official urban flood report stated that three districts — Cachar, Sribhumi and Kamrup (Metro) — were affected by waterlogging and flash floods, with the worst-hit areas located in southern Assam’s Barak Valley region.

In Cachar district, at least 15,617 people were affected in Silchar town alone after rainwater inundated several localities and municipal wards.

The major affected areas included Rangirkhari, Ambikapatty, Shillong Patty, Bilpar Road, Ashram Road, Hailakandi Road, Saratpally and several parts of Silchar town.

In neighbouring Sribhumi district, around 8,002 people were affected in the Badarpur and Sribhumi Sadar revenue circles. Areas such as Badarpur town, Raghunathpur, Debendranagar, Junbosti, Alakulipur, Deorail and Mission Road witnessed severe waterlogging after drains overflowed because of continuous rainfall.

The ASDMA report stated that a total of 23,619 people were affected across the state due to urban flooding, with the majority concentrated in the Barak Valley districts.

Authorities said SDRF personnel carried out rescue operations in Sribhumi district, where a rescue boat was deployed and 53 people, along with three animals, were evacuated from inundated areas.

Officials, however, said no loss of human life due to flooding had been recorded in the ASDMA report till Friday evening.

The report further noted that “urban flash flood” conditions were specifically observed in Badarpur town under Sribhumi district following the heavy downpour.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rainfall in several parts of southern Assam over the next 24 hours, prompting authorities to remain on alert.

–IANS

tdr/pgh