Here’s How We Can Help Assam Flood Victims & Animals In Kaziranga National Park

The state of Assam has been experiencing devastating floods since the month of May and the situation is deteriorating with each passing day. NDTV reports that 3,371 villages are under floodwaters, 1.28 lakh hectares of standing crops have been destroyed and the India Meteorological Department’s rain forecast shows no respite.

Apart from the coronavirus and floods, the intense rainfall is also causing landslides in the area and the visuals are heart-rending.

Massive loss of life, infrastructure and wildlife across 30 districts.

The state disaster management body’s report dated July 16 places the number of deaths to 66 and over 48 lakh affected (some rendered homeless). The worst-hit districts are Hojai, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Darrang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Kamrup, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Karbi Anglong.

According to India Today, 191 embankments, 133 bridges, and 1414 roads have been damaged with waters of the Brahmaputra river (and its tributaries) still above the danger level at Neamatighat in Jorhat district, Tezpur in Sonitpur district, Guwahati, Goalpara, and Dhubri.

According to BBC, Kaziranga National Park which is home to elephants, tigers, Indian hog deer, wild buffaloes as well as two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population has been submerged.

Despite rescue efforts, 66 animals have died this monsoon season. According to Hindustan Times, 2 rhinos, 5 wild boars, 1 swamp deer, 14 hog deer, and 1 porcupine died due to drowning and another 12 hog deer got hit by vehicles as they were crossing a national highway to go to Karbi Anglong hills.

Rescue and evacuation are underway.

The Times of India reports that 36,000 people across 19 districts have been shifted to 249 relief camps in the state. 11 search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as well as local authorities are using boats to rescue stranded residents.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are also wearing safety gear and taking temperatures of people.

Here’s how all of us can contribute and help flood victims (both humans and wildlife):

  • NGO Earthful Foundation is distributing essentials and installing solar street lights in villages under “Project Xokaah”.
  • ActionAid India is distributing dry rations and hygiene kits in relief camps.
  • The Voice of Northeast India and youth group People for People have teamed up with a band named Bottle Rockets to organize a fundraising e-concert on July 18. They are accepting donations on Milaap.
  • NGO North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) is raising funds with Humanitarian Aid International and Start Network.
  • Goonj is accepting contributions in the form of materials, time, and space.
  • Rapid Response is seeking donations to distribute relief materials.
  • The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is accepting donations to protect endangered animals and their wild habitats.

Let’s come together and help the people of Assam in whatever way we can. Every bit counts!

Cover Image Source – left, right

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