Six people died in rain-related incidents in Assam as the flood situation in the state worsened dramatically on Monday, affecting nearly 22 lakh people.
Weather forecasting agencies said the monsoon trough has shifted southward and could lead to decrease in rainfall intensity in the sub-Himalayan region.
In the east, the trough has moved closer to Jamui in Bihar, Dumka in Jharkhand and towards the Bay of Bengal. This is likely to provide some relief to people in north Bengal, where intense rainfall over the past few days has led to flooding in several areas.
The India Meteorological Department said in a forecast that Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar will still likely receive heavy rainfall till the morning of July 15.
Teesta, Sankosh, Kaljani and Mansai rivers are in spate owing to heavy downpour in catchment areas and several hamlets in north Bengal have been inundated, officials said.
According to Assam’s disaster management authority, with the latest six deaths, the total number of people dead in the state in this year’s flood and landslide has gone up to 76. Barpeta is the worst-hit of the Assam districts with over 5.44 lakh people affected by the flood, followed by South Salmara with 1.92 lakh people and Dhemaji with more than 1.30 lakh people. A total of 22 lakh people have been hit in the state.
