More than 22,000 people have been affected by flash floods triggered by days of heavy rainfall in the northeastern Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, officials said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 22,124 people across six districts have been impacted, with Dhemaji the hardest hit after rising floodwaters inundated 96 villages and damaged nearly 1,690 hectares of farmland, Caliber.Az reports via Indian media.
The flooding has also caused widespread infrastructure damage. A section of a railway bridge built in 1965 collapsed in Assam's Dhemaji district after riverbank erosion destabilised one of its supporting piers, forcing the indefinite suspension of train services on the route. Railway authorities said no injuries or damage to trains were reported.
The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries have continued to rise, while nearly 48,200 animals have also been affected by the floods.
In neighboring Arunachal Pradesh, at least three people have died in rain-triggered flash floods and landslides. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have issued warnings of further heavy rain, thunderstorms and landslides through July 1.
India's Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the flood situation with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 29 as state authorities continued relief and recovery operations.
By Sabina Mammadli
