16 July 2019



GUWAHATI: More than 90% of the Kaziranga National Park's 430-sq km expanse has been inundated in what is turning into one of the worst floods the state has seen.

Animals have been fleeing the park in droves, in search of higher ground. But the journey is a dangerous one. A 60-km stretch of National Highway-37 runs along the southern fringe of the national park - across the road lies the route to the safer highlands of Karbi Anglong. Large herds of elephants and deer have started moving to these highlands.

Every year, the park braces for floods. Every year, the damage is huge. The Nagaon district administration, following a well-rehearsed protocol, has stopped movement of light motor vehicles along the stretch. Vehicles have been turned back from Jakhalabandha in Nagaon and Bokakhat in Golaghat. An additional 100 forest personnel have been deployed along the highway to ensure safe passage of animals. They are keeping an eye out for poaching attempts when rhinos stray out of the inundated park.

Read full story here