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Over 60,000 hit by first wave of Assam floods

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India
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Times of India
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TNN | Jun 9, 2015, 06.05 AM IST

GUWAHATI: With the onset of monsoon in the northeast, Assam has been hit by the first wave of floods affecting over 60,000 people in nine districts of the state. At least one person has been washed away in the fresh wave of deluge.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Monday said the Brahmaputra and the Jia Bharali were flowing above the danger mark at Nematighat in Jorhat and in Sonitpur districts respectively.

According to the state government's assessment, altogether 64,934 people have been affected in Barpeta, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Darrang, Nalbari and Goalpara districts. Lakhimpur in northern Assam is the worst-hit district with over 25,000 people being affected. One person has died in Lakhimpur.

Lakhmipur is followed by Sonitpur and Barpeta districts with 19,300 and 13,950 people being affected respectively.

A total of 330.91 hectares of crop area has been damaged in the deluge. There are reports of breach of two flood-control embankments in Nalbari district. Three roads have been damaged in the Charduar area of Sonitpur district where some flood-affected people staged a protest demanding solution to the problem of inundation.

The state revenue department said it is trying to open relief camps and supply relief materials to the affected areas. "We are assessing the situation. The situation is still not that grim. We have made all arrangements to face the situation," a senior government official said.

Weather officials said the conditions are favourable for more monsoon rain in the next few days.