Guwahati: Flood relief operations have been launched by the Indian Army in various parts of Hojai district in Assam on May 18 as incessant rain have caused floods and landslides in several parts of the state, thereby wreaking havoc.
As per a notification, two columns of the Blazing Sword Division of Gajraj Corps were mobilized with essential commodities so as to carry out the flood relief operations in Hojai on May 17.
"Two columns of Blazing Sword Division of Gajraj Corps with Engineering and Medical components from Tezpur and Missamari garrison have been mobilised to carry out flood relief operations in Hojai District on the evening of 17 May 22," the notification stated.
"Unprecedented rains had warranted immediate rescue and flood relief operations. Based on urgent requisition, a swift and coordinated action was carried out by the teams to rescue precious lives caught in the flood," it added.
The statement from the army also mentioned that around 300 villagers were rescued by the troops by 10 am on May 18.
The statement went on to say that women, the elderly and young children were prioritized and the timely and swift action resulted in lives being saved and a major disaster averted.
The statement concluded by saying that rescue efforts are ongoing in coordination with Civil Administration and the locals have appreciated the service rendered by the Army.
Meanwhile, as many as 1,97,248 people in 652 villages have been affected due to this devastating calamity. The 20 districts that have been affected by floods are Bajali, Baksa, Biswanath, Cachar, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Dima Hasao, Hojai, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong West, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Tamulpur and Udalguri.
Among the worst-hit districts of the state, Hojai tops the list and it is followed by Cachar. 78,157 people have been affected in Hojai while 51,357 have been affected in Cachar as a result of the flood.
The ASDMA report said that 16645.61 hectares of cropland had been submerged underwater.
67 relief camps and relief distribution centres have been set up by the authorities in order to provide shelter to 32,959 people.
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