Half a million displaced in Assam

By Navdip Dhariwal
BBC News, Delhi

Many have been forced to flee to higher ground

Nearly a million people have been displaced by flood waters in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.

Officials say that incessant rains over the past week have caused two major rivers to flood and several landslides.

Ten districts have been affected by the flooding. Rising water levels and breaches in the rivers have cut thousands of people off.

Many fled their homes and transport was halted in some areas of the state as water cut off highways and railways.

Debris

The central water authority warned that the Brahmaputra River was flowing above a designated danger level in nine places.

Several mudslides caused severe damage and claimed the lives of seven people.

On Wednesday, 300 train passengers were rescued after being trapped for two days.

The 65 kms track remains out of use in large parts, however, and is still covered in piles of debris.

The authorities have set up makeshift shelters to accommodate those left homeless.

Others have taken refuge in tents on higher ground.

Every year, the monsoon causes rivers to flood, submerging surrounding paddy fields, washing away entire villages and claiming hundreds of lives in this remote state.