Kaziranga National Park in Assam faces a severe flood crisis, with 95 out of 233 forest camps submerged. This situation has necessitated the evacuation of six camps.
According to park authorities, all 34 camps in the Agratoli range, 20 in the Kaziranga range, 10 in the Bagori range, 5 in the Burapahar range, 6 in the Bokakhat range, and 20 in the Biswanath Wildlife Division are underwater. On July 1, floodwaters even washed away a wooden bridge near the Moshguli Camp in the Agoratoli Range.
Field Director Sonali Ghosh reported that elephant herds are moving towards Karbi Anglong via the Hati Dandi corridor. Consequently, there are requests for heavy traffic diversions on NH 715 in the Nagaon and Golaghat districts. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been enforced.
Rescue teams and veterinary care units are on standby, with boats, rescue materials, and barricades already in place. Ghosh stressed the importance of traffic control to ensure wildlife safety. Additional staff from nearby divisions have been deployed, and joint patrolling by forest teams and commando action groups is ongoing.
A floodwater gauge station, supported by the Central Water Commission (CWC), provides real-time updates. A flood monitoring cell has been activated for better coordination of rescue operations. Health check-ups for staff and elephants have been conducted to ensure they are fit for the flood season.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full support to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in managing the floods. During their recent conversation, CM Sarma briefed the Prime Minister on the situation, explaining that this is the second wave of floods due to heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of upper Assam. The Prime Minister promised full cooperation from the central government in this crisis.