GUWAHATI, July 26 - The flood fatalities in Assam crossed hundred on Sunday even as the overall situation remained unchanged with nearly 25 lakh people still bearing the brunt of the deluge in the State. With five new deaths � two each from Barpeta and Kokrajhar districts and one from Morigaon � the flood-induced death toll in the State has reached 102 this year.
But the flood situation is likely to deteriorate again as the Regional Meteorological Centre here has issued yellow alert while predicting heavy rainfall at most places of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya in the next 72 hours.
As per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), altogether 23 districts � Dhemaji, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Charaideo and Dibrugarh � are still reeling under floods, affecting 24,76,431 people in 2,265 villages under 66 revenue circles.
According to the Central Water Commission, the Brahmaputra river has been flowing above the danger level in Jorhat, Sonitpur, Goalpara and Dhubri districts. Rivers Dhansiri in Golaghat, Jia Bharali in Sonitpur, Kopili in Nagaon, Beki in Barpeta and Kushiyara in Karimganj are also flowing above the red mark.
Among the flood-affected districts, Goalpara is the worst-hit affecting a total of 4,70,253 people in 289 villages under four revenue circles. Altogether 45,912 people are also taking shelter in 457 relief camps across the State.
In the past 24 hours, flood waters have damaged an embankment in Barpeta district along with a number of roads in Bongaigaon and Morigaon districts. During the period, incidents of erosion have also been reported from Chirang district.
A major portion of Kaziranga National Park is still under flood waters affecting altogether 88 forest camps. Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary are also badly affected by floods having inundated a number such forest camps. Floods have so far claimed lives of 129 animals in Kaziranga.
