Flood Displaces 66000 in Assam

Floods caused by heavy monsoon rains have displaced around 66,000 people in Assam.

The flood waters from the Brahmaputra river has swamped about 13,000 hectares of land.

As yet, no casualties have been reported from Assam, but heavy rains and lightning storms have taken away 140 lives nationwide since the onset of the monsoon.

"The affected people have been shifted to safer places with relief materials distributed among the flood-hit victims," the statement said.

The whole disaster began on May 31 in the eastern district of Nagaon and western Nalbari district.

The districts of Dhemaji, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Karimganj and Hailakandi have also been affected by the floods.

The Brahmaputra had hampered its banks along Majuli which is the world's largest river island.

"At least 8,000 hectares of land, including 3,050 hectares of agricultural area, have been submerged in Majuli due to flooding", the statement said.

The floods have also disrupted road and rail traffic in the state and the floodwater is submerging highways and breaching rail tracks.
In 2004 also, 200 people died and more than 12 million were displaced in the floods.