THE flood situation in Assam remained grim on Wednesday, with overnight rains threatening fresh inundation in low-lying areas even as the death toll reached 89 and more than 1.22 lakh people remained affected across five districts. Union Health Minister JP Nadda is scheduled to visit the flood-hit areas during the day to assess the situation and review relief and rehabilitation measures with State officials. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Dhansiri river at Numaligarh in Golaghat district continued to flow in a “severe flood situation” on Wednesday morning. “Due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Dhansiri at Numaligarh, citizens are advised to stay away from the river,” an ASDMA spokesperson said.

 

The ASDMA’s latest flood bulletin said two more people died in the last 24 hours -- one each in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts -- taking this year’s flood-related death toll to 89. More than 1,22,100 people remained affected, with Sivasagar being the worst-hit district where nearly 60,000 people have been impacted, followed by Charaideo with over 31,000 affected and Jorhat with nearly 20,000. The administration is operating 55 relief camps and relief distribution centres in four districts, where 17,857 displaced people are currently taking shelter. KeralaM Govt announces relief package as monsoon toll rises to 26: KERALAM Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday announced a series of relief measures for families affected by the ongoing monsoon, including enhanced compensation for those who lost their lives, houses and property in rain-related disasters.

 

So far, 26 people have lost their lives in monsoon-related incidents. Eleven people have been injured and four others remain missing, he said. Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said 462 relief camps are currently functioning across the State, providing shelter to 27,048 people displaced by heavy rain, floods and landslides. Omar Abdullah visits Poonch, meets villager who lost eight members of family in cloudburst tragedy: JAMMU and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited Murrah village in Poonch district and met a villager, who lost eight members of his family in cloudburst-triggered flash floods and landslide last month. Abdullah arrived in the border district to assess the ground situation in the flash flood and landslide-affected areas following the rain fury, which had claimed 16 lives and left six others missing.