11 killed in floods, rains in NE India

NEW DELHI –At least 11 people have been killed and thousands displaced in heavy rains and floods in northeastern India in the past four days, officials said Friday.These deaths were reported mainly from the states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur. 

"In Assam, the districts of Hojai, Karbi Anglong East, Karbi Anglong West, Golaghat, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi are affected," a disaster management official said. 

"While three deaths have been reported from across the state, over 36,000 people are said to have been displaced," he added. In Tripura, at least three people have lost their lives while over 15,000 people have been rendered homeless, according to officials. 

"Two of the three persons were swept away by strong river currents. One body was recovered in Khowai district Thursday," the disaster management official said. 

The situation is the same in neighboring Manipur, where five people lost their lives. "The victims included a five-year-old boy," the official said. The government in Manipur has declared holiday in the wake of the floods and heavy rains in capital Imphal and its adjoining districts. 

Local TV channels reported that relief camps have been set up in all the affected districts in these three states for the homeless. Floods and landslides, triggered by heavy monsoon rains, are common in northeastern Indian states. Enditem 
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