Nine deaths have been reported in Assam, bringing the total death toll to 55 in Northeast

Digital Desk: Officials said the flood situation in the northeast worsened on Friday, June 17, as relentless rain battered portions of the region for the fourth day in a row, causing major rivers to overflow.

In Assam, nine more people perished in rain-related accidents, including two children, bringing the total number of persons killed in this year's floods and landslides to 55, according to a bulletin from the state's disaster management office. The floods affected up to 19 lakh people in 28 districts throughout the state.

Deaths have been reported in the districts of Hojai, Nalbari, Bajali, Dhubri, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, and Sonitpur. Dima Hasao, Goalpara, Hojai, Kamrup and Kamrup (Metropolitan), and Morigaon reported landslides.

A boat carrying flood victims overturned Hojai district on Friday night, leaving three children missing and 21 others rescued.

Late Friday night, a group of 24 people attempted to flee the waterlogged Islampur hamlet when their boat collided with a brick kiln and sank in the Raikota area.

Meanwhile, the Kopili River is flowing over "high flood level" at Kampur in the Nagaon district, according to a Central Water Commission (CWC) report issued on June 18, Saturday.

The Brahmaputra, Jia-Bharali, Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Barak, and Kushiara rivers, among others, were flowing above the danger level, according to the advisory.

The floods have impacted 2,930 settlements, causing 43,338 hectares of crops to be flooded and 410 animals to be washed away.

According to PTI, waterlogging has continued in most sections of Guwahati, with localities such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Zoo Road, Six Mile, Noonmati, Bhootnath, Maligaon, Bamunimaidam, Rajgarh Link Road, Hatigaon, Rukimingaon, Fatasil, and Gotanagar being particularly hard hit.

Officials say the rain has damaged at least 234 roads and 16 bridges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, June 18 to inquire about the flood situation, assuring him of all possible assistance from the Centre.

"Earlier today, I met with Assam's chief minister and assessed the situation in the state as a result of the floods." The Centre has promised to provide all necessary assistance. Modi remarked on Twitter, "I pray for the safety and well-being of the people of Assam who have been affected by flooding."

In response to the prime minister's tweet, Sarma expressed gratitude.

"Thank you for calling to get an update on the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Assam's flood-affected areas. "We're keeping a close eye on the situation and assisting individuals as best we can," he tweeted.

The situation isn't much better in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, where landslides have destroyed roads and swamped communities. 

Also Read: Assam Floods: Boat carrying flood-hit people capsizes, 3 missing