Lightning kills three in Assam

Guwahati: Three persons were killed by lightning and one was swept away by flood as incessant rain, accompanied by a storm, created havoc in Assam during the past 24 hours. The bad weather also disrupted the celebrations of Namami Brahmaputra Festival in many parts of the state. Lighting killed one person each at Hailakandi, Karimganj and Abhayapuri on Monday night, besides one person was swept away by flash flood at Harangajao in Dima Hasao district on Monday morning. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the storm affected Dhubri, Dima Hasao, Kamrup and Tinsukia districts and damaged 93 houses. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held an emergency meeting with the senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management departments to review the situation. Meanwhile, there has been a steep rise in the water level of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. TNS