Massive flooding affects 1.2 mln people in NE India

A massive flooding has hit India's northeastern state of Assam with water inundating new areas, officials said Monday.

Of the state's 32 districts, at least 18 were submerged, affecting over 1.2 million people.

"The flood situation has worsened today as new areas submerged in the flood water," an official said. "A population of more than 1,200,000 people are reeling under the fury of flood in 18 districts."

Authorities have deployed teams of disaster response force to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Officials said the rescue teams deployed across affected districts help people to reach safer places.

India's official broadcaster - All India Radio (AIR) said local officials have set up 220 relief camps in the affected areas, where 88,000 people are taking shelter at these makeshift camps.

The deluge has inundated nearly 100,000 hectares of agricultural land.

Flood water has inundated large swathes of Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Reports said herds of wild animals including elephants were seen swimming and struggling to reach highlands in Kaziranga National Park.

Flooding is an annual occurrence in Assam especially during the summer monsoon. Endit