Northeast India is reeling from the impact of cyclone Remal that caused heavy rainfall, floods and landslides as it progressed over the region on May 28 as a deep depression. Three more people were reported dead in Assam, taking the toll to 18 on Monday, while rescue operations are underway in the state.
The flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim Sunday night, affecting 5,35,246 people in 13 districts, according to a bulletin released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).
The worst-hit district was Nagaon, where 3,03,567 people remained affected, followed by Cachar (1,09,798) and Hojai (86,382). Two deaths were reported from Cachar and one from Nagaon, taking the death toll since May 28 to 18, news agency PTI reported.
#WATCH | Assam: The city of Guwahati receives rainfall.
IMD forecasts ‘Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers’ today with the maximum temperature likely to be 33 degrees Celsius.
13 districts of the state are reeling under flood. pic.twitter.com/SFTlFceAjB
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2024
Guwahati continued to receive heavy rainfall, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting “generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers” today, and a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius.
In neighboring Manipur, too, many were affected by the floods left behind by the cyclone. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that the work to remove floodwater and clean waterlogged areas has begun. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Singh wrote, “Continuing our efforts to remove floodwater and clean waterlogged areas, Manipur Fire Service teams have begun work to declog obstructions and restore the flow of the Naga River at North AOC Imphal.”
Continuing our efforts to remove floodwater and clean waterlogged areas, Manipur Fire Service teams have begun work to declog obstructions and restore the flow of the Naga River at North AOC Imphal. pic.twitter.com/4qgezb6Pq6
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) June 2, 2024
Three major rivers crossing Assam – Kopili, Barak and Kushiyara – continued to flow above the danger level, as of Sunday, PTI quoted the ASDMA bulletin statement.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF, and local administration are carrying out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. Over 39,000 displaced people have been taking shelter in 193 relief camps in different districts across Assam, according to PTI.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation in the Northeast. According to the PMO, “the loss of human lives and damage to houses and properties due to landslides and floods in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura was discussed.”
“NDRF teams have been deployed as per the needs. The teams have carried out evacuation, airlifting and road clearance operations. During the meeting, it was mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in regular touch with the state governments,” it said.
#WATCH | 564 villages of 13 districts in Assam reel under flood. Death toll rises to 14.
Visuals from Nagaon as a large portion of the district remains inundated and people take refuge in shelters. pic.twitter.com/b6r3yiOhPm
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2024
PM Modi said that the government will continue to “extend full support to the state affected by the cyclone.” “The PM also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation and review the matter regularly to extend necessary assistance for restoration,” according to the statement.
PM Modi, on June 1, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the relatives of deceased in natural disasters in the aftermath of cyclone Remal in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura. and West Bengal.
PM Modi also announced that those injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.