Latest Weather Updates: Airforce to Airdrop essential needs in flood-hit areas of Dima Hasao, death toll rises to 8

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 18, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The death toll in Assam has surged to eight, with five lives lost in landslides.

Digital Desk: As floodwaters entered new areas of Assam, the number of affected people more than doubled to over four lakh since the previous day, while three more people died as a result of the disaster, bringing the total toll of dead people to eight, as per government report.

Landslides caused by heavy rain cut rail and road connections to Assam's Barak Valley and Dima Hasao districts and the neighbouring states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. 

Landslides wreaked havoc in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, cutting road access in many areas.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the number of people affected has risen to 4,03,352 across 26 districts, up from 1,97,248 in 20 districts as of Monday. 

Cachar is the worst-affected district till now, with 96,697 people affected, while 88,420 and 58,975 people are affected by the downpour, respectively.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a drop in temperature for the next three to four days beginning Monday, providing relief from the scorching heat. 

In many parts of the national capital, the maximum temperature reached 49 degrees Celsius on Sunday as a scorching heatwave swept through North India.

According to an official statement on the decision of a high-level meeting, the Air Force has been directed to airdrop the most critical supplies to Dima Hasao beginning Wednesday.

Check out the most recent weather Update reports:

• The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre in Guwahati has issued a warning for a massive downpour in Assam until Wednesday, followed by widespread rain for the next five days.

• The death toll in Assam has risen to eight, with five people killed in landslides.

• Mudslides closed roads from Itanagar to Gohpur in Assam and Ziro in Lower Subansiri district via Potin. Officials reported landslides from the Karsingsa block point along the Itanagar-Banderdewa NH-415, Itanagar Gompa, and RWD Colony.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ensured Central Government's assistance to the people of Assam, even as the state administration works to ensure the supply of essential commodities to affected areas and restore communication channels.

In the meantime, extreme heat constraints continued unabated in Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures in most places hovering above normal limits. 

According to the meteorological department, Gurugram in Haryana was the hottest place, with a high temperament of 44.5 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: Nagaon Flood Situation Aggravates Amid Heavy Flood in the State