Over 200,000 displaced by flood in Assam

Thousands of people have been displaced by heavy monsoon rains in northeast India and neighbouring Nepal.

According to officials, more than 200,000 people have been rendered homeless after severe flooding and landslides in Assam.

Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Jorhat were the most affected districts with flood waters submerging roads and houses.

A report from Lakhimpur district said more than 150 villages with around 1.2 lakh people were submerged by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries flowing above the danger mark.

In neighbouring Dhemaji district, 115 villages with over one lakh population have been affected by the floods.

"Our priority now is to rescue marooned people. The situation is really bad and if the rain continues, people in affected areas will have a tough time," a senior government official in Guwahati was quoted by Reuters as saying.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi made an aerial inspection of the flood-hit areas. He instructed district officials to expedite relief work, and monitor the situation round-the-clock.

Relief operations are currently on full-swing. Temporary shelters have been set up in schools and government buildings where people are being with provided food and clothes.

Meanwhile, most parts of the two rhino habitats of Kaziranga National Park in Golaghat district and Pobitora Wild Life Sanctuary in Morigaon district near Guwahati were submerged, wildlife department sources were reported saying.

The animals in the park were however said to be safe were safe as they had taken shelter on the highlands.