Weather department has warned that more heavy rain could aggravate waterlogging, flooding, flash floods, slow vehicular movement and increase the risk of localised landslides in vulnerable areas.

The death toll in this year’s Assam floods rose to 78 on Wednesday after three more people died in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts, even as over 3 lakh people continued to remain affected across seven districts, according to the latest government bulletin.

The latest fatalities included two deaths in Sivasagar and one in Golaghat, taking the cumulative flood-related death toll this year to 78, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said.According to the bulletin, 3,00,031 people across seven flood-hit districts — Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, Biswanath and Kamrup Metropolitan — remain affected by the deluge. Floodwaters continue to impact 21 revenue circles and 551 villages, while 21,523.08 hectares of crop area remain submerged.Among the affected districts, Charaideo is the worst-hit with 1,37,561 people affected, followed by Sivasagar (84,600) and Jorhat (49,911). On Tuesday, the number of affected people stood at 3.32 lakh in six districts, indicating a slight improvement in the overall flood situation even as another district remained under flood impact.

The disaster management authority said more than 16,500 displaced people are taking shelter in 71 relief camps, while another over 72,000 people are being assisted through 30 relief distribution centres. Medical and veterinary teams, along with multiple rescue agencies, continue relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.The floods have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including embankments, roads, houses, schools and other public property. The ASDMA said more than 11,000 animals have been washed away, while another 17,000 livestock have been affected.

URBAN FLOODING PERSISTS IN GUWAHATI

Apart from riverine flooding, Kamrup Metropolitan district continued to witness urban flooding.

According to the official bulletin, three revenue circles and 10 localities/wards remain affected. The impacted areas include Padumbari, Boragaon, Excelcare Hospital, Lachit Nagar, Zoo Road, Rukminigaon, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Satgaon, Beharbari, Hatigaon, Wireless, Jorabat and Kamarkuchi near Zubeen Khetra. The bulletin, however, said no population was officially reported as affected by the urban flooding.

CENTRE ASSURES CONTINUED SUPPORT

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the flood situation and ongoing relief efforts. It was the second such conversation in seven days, after Shah had earlier reviewed the situation on July 23.

Sharing details of the conversation, Sarma said the Home Minister enquired about the ground situation and assured that the Government of India would continue to provide all assistance required for relief, restoration and rebuilding, adding that all agencies and resources of the Centre remain at Assam’s disposal.