DCA Humanitarian programme Officer, Aditi Ghosh, is just back from the field visit in flood affected areas of Assam with this report.

The DCA Humanitarian programme Officer, Aditi Ghosh, is just back from a field visit in flood affected areas of Assam, and she explains the flood situation in Assam to be still grim.

"Things are still bad. Out of 27 districts, 10 districts are still reeling under severe effects of flood. Large number of villages are marooned, and the mode of transport is only boats, which is affecting the relief assistance work as well. Water is flowing above danger level in most of the major rivers like Brahmaputra," says Aditi Ghosh.

According to the latest update 321,242 people are affected in 477 villages across 10 districts.

More than 80,000 people are living in 78 relief camps in these districts. Also there are informal settlements on high road/embankment where people are living under makeshift shelters.

More rain is expected

As it is still the middle of monsoon season, more rain is expected in coming days, which may aggravate the situation further. Though in few places water has started receding, many places are still cut off due to breach of embankment/road/bridges. And once the water starts receding, the health and hygiene issues will need a lot of attention’.

Aid less than adequate

Government and many Humanitarian agencies have started proving food, NFI, Hygiene kit, medical services, however, it is much less than adequate. DCA, initially, supported 5000 households in Darrang district with life saving materials. There are various assessment in progress both by the government and nongovernmental organisation to understand the situation.

DCA plans to continue its effort to support the flood affected families in two most affected districts –Barpeta and Dhemaji where DCA already has an ongoing DRR programme.