GUWAHATI, July 26 ? Though the water levels of the major rivers are receding, the worst affected districts are still reeling under floodwaters and the some portions of the National Highway-37 in Morigaon district are still submerged. The death toll in the current wave of floods has gone up to 144. According to the flood bulletin issued by the State Government here this evening, all the rivers are flowing above danger level in Morigaon district and almost all the roads are still under floodwaters. The death toll in the tragic boat capsize has gone up to 18. In Nagaon district, a large number of affected people are still taking shelter in high lands, railway lines, dykes and in the relief camps. The death toll in Cachar district has gone up to 10 with the drowning of three more persons. The Katogorah circle is still cut off from the rest of the district, while parts of the Sonai-Lakhipur circle are also cut off. Embankments were breached in as many as 75 places all over the district. The road communication to the Karimganj district has been restored partially yesterday, while, the roads from Karimkanj to Cachar and Hailakandi are still cut off.
With two more deaths due to drowning, the death toll in Dhubri district has gone up to five. The Brahmaputra is still flowing above the danger level in the district and more than a thousand villages have been affected so far. The situation is improving in Nalbari district and according to the flood bulletin, about 50,000 affected people have returned home. The toll in Barpeta district has gone up to 16 with the drowning of one more person. Meanwhile, the Central team, which is visiting the flood affected areas of the State to assess the situation, today visited the affected areas of kamrup district.
Our Correspondents report: Tezpur: with the receding of the water level of Jia Bharali, the flood situation in Sonitpur district is gradually improving. So far seven persons lost their lives in the district and 204 villages have been affected. A Central team is scheduled to visit the affected areas of the district tomorrow.
Hailakandi: The overall flood situation in the Barak valley districts improved in the last 24 hours as the water level of Barak, Dhaleswari, Katakhal and Kushiara is receding. Some parts of Silchar town are still under floodwaters and portions of NH 53, 44 and 154 are still submerged. A two member Central team yesterday visited some affected areas and held a meeting with senior officials to assess the situation.
Hatsingimari: The situation is still grim in South Salmara revenue circle of Dhubri district. Six more persons lost their lives in the area and shortage of medicines and doctors is posing a serious threat to the lives of the affected people.