Date:16/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/16/stories/2006061613220500.htm

Other States - Assam

Over 4.5 lakh affected by floods in Assam

Special Correspondent

Crops in 8,700 hectares damaged

Guwahati : Floods have affected 4.57 lakh people in 748 villages in Assam.

Official sources on Thursday said the floodwaters of the Brahmaputra, Barak and their tributaries had also damaged standing crops in over 8,700 hectares.

Of the 13 affected districts, Cachar district of Barak valley has been the worst-hit with the floodwaters claiming five lives so far. Three persons have been killed in landslips in the North Cachar Hill district.

Three fresh breaches in embankments occurred in Karimganj district of Barak valley on Thursday snapping road and rail communication.The Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level at Dibrugarh and Neematighat in Jorhat district. In Morigaon district, road communication was snapped by floodwaters at several places.

UNI adds:The famous Kaziramga National Park was flooded, inundating vast low lying areas inside the park. Animals were taking shelters in highland inside the park. Floods had also badly hit the world's biggest river island -Mazuli, inundating vast areas and causing erosion at several places.

Flood and landslides had damaged over 100 houses completely while another 172 houses were been damaged partially throughout the state.