21 killed in landslides in Assam

GUWAHATI: At least 21people were killed in landslides triggered by incessant rain in Assam’s Barak Valley. Seven deaths were reported in Cachar, eight in Hailakandi and six in Karimganj district.

RK Dam,additional deputy commissioner, Hailakandi, said: “Eight people, including two children, died in Hailakandi and Algapur and several others sustained injuries.

Bodies have been recovered and sent to the civil hospital for autopsy."

“The rescue operation started early in the day and all the bodies were identified by the authorities and shifted to the district hospital for post-mortem,” said an official in the emergency and fire services. Assam forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya is overseeing rescue operations.

At least 11 districts in Assam are already suffering from floods. About 1.97 lakh people are affected and there have been nine deaths. Seven thousand people are still in 45 relief camps and 25,000 thousand hectares of cropland has been destroyed.

Expressing grief over the deaths, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the deputy commissioners of three Barak valley districts-- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi—and the SDRF to speed up relief and rescue operations and extend all possible help to those affected by the landslides.