Guwahati, 8th July: Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its majestic one-horned rhinoceros population, has been deeply affected by ongoing floods, resulting in the tragic deaths of 131 wild animals, including six rhinos. Field Director Sonali Ghosh confirmed the toll, highlighting the severe impact of the deluge on the park’s diverse wildlife.
Among the casualties reported by Ghosh, 100 hog deer and two sambar deer drowned in floodwaters. Additionally, 17 hog deer, one swamp deer, one rhesus macaque, and a young otter perished despite efforts to provide care. Tragically, two hog deer were also lost in vehicle collisions.
Despite the grim situation, park authorities and forest department teams managed to rescue 97 wild animals amidst the floods. While the situation is gradually improving, 69 out of 233 forest camps in Kaziranga remain submerged, complicating rescue and conservation efforts.
The flooding has affected multiple ranges within the park, with the Kaziranga range bearing the brunt with 22 submerged camps. The Bagori and Agratoli ranges follow with 20 and 14 flooded camps, respectively. Furthermore, four camps have been evacuated due to rising water levels.
Beyond wildlife, the floods have claimed 66 lives across Assam, with eight fatalities reported in the last 24 hours alone. Over 27.74 lakh people in 28 districts continue to be affected by the inundation.
Rescue operations conducted by the NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, and local administration are ongoing, focusing on aiding flood-affected individuals and ensuring the safety of both humans and wildlife. As floodwaters recede, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to mitigate further damage and restore normalcy to the region.