Flood in NE: Indian Army activates relief ops, over 3,800 rescued

Guwahati: Indian Army has activated its rescue teams in flood-hit parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur after the administration sought their help.

In Assam, one person died due to floods in Golaghat district on Tuesday while more than 30,000 people remained affected in five districts: Golaghat, Hojai, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Jorhat on Thursday.

This increased the death toll due to flood and landslides in Assam to 30.

Similarly, many were rendered homeless in Manipur's Imphal West and Bishnupur districts due to surge in the water level in the Nambol river. Rains and flashfloods affected normal lives in Dimapur in Nagaland.

In a statement, Army on Thursday said Army and Assam Rifles launched "Operation Jal Rahat 2" in the Northeast after the administration in the three states sought its help.

The district administration in Dimapur sought army's help for rescue efforts in Singrijan Colony, one of the worst-hit areas. "The Army swiftly responded with the deployment of an engineer task force team. The Army remains on standby with resources mobilised through the Flood Relief Control Centre," said the statement.

"In Manipur, while the floodwaters are beginning to recede, the Army remains actively engaged in relief operations in coordination with civil authorities," said the statement.

Army has so far deployed 40 relief columns across the Northeast and rescued 3,820 flood-hit people since May. They also provided water and medical assistance to the flood-hit people, said the statement.