First Wave of Flood Hits Kaziranga National Park, Animals Helpless

Golaghat: This is just the first wave of floods to hit Assam. Large portions of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is already under water. This has rendered its wildlife helpless. The streams and other water bodies inside the Park have swelled due to incessant rains in the last few days and has inundated a vast tract of the land including the habitats of some wild animals.

Several one-horned rhinos, pride of the National Park and of Assam were seen trying to swim and stay cross over to safer, drier, higher ground. The water level in the Park has risen almost to the level of their snouts.

The water level of the mighty Brahmputra, that flows near the Park, has also risen adding to miseries of the animals as well as the Park authorities. A large number of animals including one-horned rhino, deer was seen moving towards the Karbi hills in order to get respite from the rising water levels.

Besides, some panic-stricken wild animals also have taken shelter by the side of the National Highway 37 which passes through the Park. The Park and its animals are currently facing the ire of the first wave of flood of this year. Last year over 100 animals including nine rhinos died due to floods. Over 90 per cent of the National Park which is also a tiger reserve was under flood waters.

Local people have urged the government to take necessary steps for the security and safety of the wild animals who have temporarily left their habitats to get save themselves from the fury of the fast rising flood waters.

The district administration has already announced speed limits for vehicles taking NH37 that passes through the Park.