The Brahmaputra River’s rising water level is threatening to submerge parts of the state capital, Guwahati, through which it flows. The ten other rivers in the state also swelled up dangerously as the rains continued. The Assam government on Monday issued a red alert as the Assam flood situation turned extremely critical, displacing tens of thousands and cutting off entire portions of the state As many as 4,157 villages across 30 districts of the north-eastern state, including Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Darrang, Udalguri, Baksa, Barpeta, Nalbari, Chirang, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar, were submerged as the rain continued unabated. The number of dead also increased to 15, with four people losing their lives today.

Flood control mechanisms, including control rooms, have been pressed into service with state government officials manning them round the clock, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. The veterinary and animal husbandry department has also been directed to help marooned animals, he added.  The Chief Minister said ministers and public representatives have also been asked to help victims of the floods and personally supervise rescue operations.

The Union government has assured the state of all possible support and cooperation in this regard. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier directed central agencies, including the NDRF, to leave no stone unturned to help in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.