STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday and took stock of the flood situation in the state where the death toll rose to three.
Modi also assured the Chief Minister of extending all possible help to the state.
Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister for standing with the people of Assam at this hour of crisis, the Chief Minister said, "The current wave of floods has gravely impacted the livelihood of people in the state. The Prime Minister's assurance at this hour of crisis speaks a lot for us to combat the flood."
The water levels of most of the rivers in the state, including that of the Brahmaputra, have been rising. The floods have affected 1,278 villages in 22 districts. Equally affected are Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks. In KNP alone, nine animals died. Seven other animals, including five hog deer, sustained injuries in a vehicle hit. A ten-day-old rescued rhino calf is under care at a rescue centre.
According to KNP Director Shiv Kumar, 70 per cent of the national park is underwater. As many as 153 forest camps in the KNP are also underwater. In all, the national park has 223 forest camps.
Meanwhile, the death toll of floods in the state this year rose to three with the death of another child in Morigaon district today. This wave of floods affected around 5.73 lakh people, besides damaging roads in 50 stretches in Morigaon, Dhemaji, Majuli and Golaghat districts.
Rescue teams from the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have been on their job. More rescue teams will arrive in the state.
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