Floods affect 500,000 people in India's northeastern state

Flooding in India's northeastern state of Assam has affected over 500,000 people, officials said Sunday.

The flood waters affected 14 districts of the state, inundating villages, localities, agricultural land, schools, health centres and places of historical importance.

"Over 500,000 people living across 14 districts have been affected in current surge of water," an official said. "Hundreds of villages are reeling under the fury of floods."

According to Assam State Disaster Management Authority two deaths were reported in the state on Saturday due to rains that triggered floods.

Authorities have deployed teams of disaster response force to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Reports said over 70 relief camps have been set up in the affected areas and thousands of people are taking shelter in these makeshift camps.

Residents said the Brahmaputra river was flowing above the danger mark at several places and surging waters have disrupted road connectivity in the affected areas.

Officials said over 40,000 hectares of crop land have submerged in flood water besides large swathes of Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

All India Radio (AIR) said over 51,000 people from 100 villages were reeling under the fury of flood at Majuli revenue circle in Jorhat district.

Meteorological department has predicted heavy rains at isolated places in the next 48 hours in the state. Endit