Floods submerge 16 Assam districts - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A third round of floods, triggered by incessant rains, has submerged at least 16 districts in Assam, throwing normal life completely out of gear. At least six people have died in Assam , and three wildlife sanctuaries, including the Kaziranga National Park , are under water. Among the worst affected districts are Sonitpur, Sibasagar, Kamrup, Jorhat, Tinsukia. and Dibrugarh. These places continue to experience prolonged downpour. The River Brahmaputra is also flowing above the danger mark. Thousands have been fleeing to relief camps. The Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have evacuated over 4,000 people from the affected areas. The situation is also grim in other areas of the northeast as well. At least 27 people have died in Sikkim due to landslides following heavy rains over the past two days. Officials say 21 bodies, including those of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel, have been recovered in Sikkim . The other victims were labourers. Eight people are missing. The northern part of Sikkim is cut off from the rest of the country. Nine landslides have blocked the main road between Chungthang and Mangan. National Highway 31-A is also blocked. According to BRO, it might take a month to restore connectivity. Meanwhile, the Army and IAF personnel have launched rescue operations. The monsoon this year has already caused heavy floods in Haryana, Punjab , Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and certain parts of northeastern states, leading to severe devastation of life and property.

Floods submerge 16 Assam districts, hits normal life