NDRF says 85 people killed by floods in Assam and Meghalaya

Guwahati: A total of 85 people have been killed due to heavy floods

and inundation in Assam and Meghalaya, the NDRF on Saturday said.

After combating the floods and water logging tragedy for over a week in the two states, the lead mitigation force has now shifted its operations from rescue to relief. "While 39 people have been killed in Assam, 46 deaths have been reported from Meghalaya. We are now concentrating our energies to undertake relief operations as rescue work has finished largely. There are signs of water receding in these areas," NDRF chief OP Singh said after accompanying Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on an aerial survey of the two states.

The National Disaster Response Force chief said in Assam the worst affected areas are the districts of Goalpara, Kamrup (rural) and Boko alongwith some adjoining areas whereas in Meghalaya, the areas of Tura and seven districts in Garo Hills area were hit the most by the tragedy.

"There has been massive destruction in these areas due to flood waters," Singh said. The NDRF which is operating 16 teams in the two states, he said, has rescued close to 6,000 people and distributed 80 quintals of food and other essential items to the people who are marooned.

He said the force has also undertaken night operations in these areas and such tasks are continuing. The delegation led by Rijiju met Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and senior leader and Tura Member of Parliament PA Sangma during the visit on Saturday, apart from briefing by senior officers of the administration of both the states.