Assam flood situation worsens, 95% Of Kaziranga Park flooded, many animals dead
The death toll of animals at Kaziranga stood at 30 as of Tuesday. Around 70% of the 46 sq km area at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district has also been inundated
गाँव कनेक्शन 17 July 2019 11:41 AM GMT
In Assam, more than 45 lakh people across 30 of the state's 33 district have been affected by the floods so far. The rising water level of the Brahmaputra river is threatening to submerge parts of Guwahati. As many as 83,000 people were evacuated from flooded areas and they have been accommodated in 183 relief camps across the state.
Barpeta is the worst-hit district with 7.35 lakh people facing the flood fury, followed by Morigaon where 3.50 lakh people are hit. In Dhubri district, 3.38 lakh people are affected, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority said.
Road connectivity to Upper Assam has been cut off. Ferry services were called off earlier due to water strong currents.
The flood water has submerged 95% of the Kaziranga National park, which is home to one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo and swamp deer, collectively known as "Big Five" of Kaziranga. Animals were seen emerging out of the park to escape drowning.
The death toll of animals stood at 30 as of Tuesday. Carcasses of seven animals, including three one-horned rhinos and an elephant were recovered on Tuesday. Around 70% of the 46 sq km area at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district has also been inundated, forcing one-horned rhinos to venture into the nearby highlands.
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department has been asked to take care of the marooned animals and keep adequate fodder stock ready for the stray animals of Kaziranga National Park, other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal, informed in a government release.
This will melt your heart.
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) July 16, 2019
90% of #Kaziranga is under water now. #Disaster happens for #wildlife also. It increases when habitat is reduced and criss-crossed by other infrastructure. In the time of such disaster it becomes difficult for them to reach at a safer location. pic.twitter.com/E1yowPPJ1b
Some will be lucky. A team of wildlife rescuers get hold of a #Rhino calf in Kaziranga. In the time of disasters. Courtesy WA. pic.twitter.com/d2xqbK1QuG
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) July 16, 2019
