Assam Floods Spike Vegetable Prices Amid Recovery Efforts

As Assam recovers from recent floods, residents face soaring vegetable prices. Flood devastation has led to crop damage and a reliance on out-of-state produce, burdening both consumers and traders. Despite receding waters, over 12.33 lakh people across 24 districts remain affected, with the death toll reaching 90.

Even as the flood situation in Assam shows signs of improvement, citizens are grappling with a surge in vegetable prices in local markets. Traders attribute this hike to the widespread damage caused to crops by the floods. Ashok, a vegetable vendor, informed ANI that vegetables now have to be sourced from outside the state due to the damages.

'All vegetable prices have increased due to the flood. The prices are increasing day by day. The price range of vegetables has increased. This also affects the common people, as well as the small traders,' Ashok explained. Nitya Biswas, another seller, noted the ongoing impact of floods and rainfall on vegetable prices.

Khalilur Rahman, a customer, expressed concerns, stating, 'We are common people who are facing lots of problems due to the hike of vegetable prices.' Although flood waters are receding, over 12.33 lakh people in 24 districts are still affected, with 32,924 hectares of crop area submerged.

Meanwhile, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) reported that with seven more deaths, the overall death toll from the floods has risen to 90. 'Five people died in a boat capsize incident in Goalpara district, while others drowned in floodwaters in Nagaon and Jorhat districts,' ASDMA detailed.

Despite the improving flood situation, the affected areas remain extensive. 2406 villages and 32924.32 hectares of crop area are still underwater, impacting districts like Cachar, Dhubri, Nagaon, Kamrup, and many others. Specifically, 3,18,326 people are affected in Dhubri district, followed by 1,48,609 in Cachar, and considerable numbers in other regions.

River levels are generally receding, but the Brahmaputra River remains above danger level at Neamatighat, Tezpur, Dhubri, and along other rivers like Burhidihing and Disang. The situation calls for sustained recovery efforts to aid the affected populations. (ANI)