More than 800 people have died in devastating floods in northeastern India, robbing millions of their homes, children, cattle and livelihood. In Bihar state alone, at least 570 people were killed and an estimated 21.2 million people affected, government officials said Tuesday. In Assam the death toll rose to 237 and nearly 10 million people were left homeless. There were no figures for deaths in other northeastern states. Officials were unclear about how many deaths were due to drowning or disease. Governments of the affected states have only begun to assess the damage to homes, agricultural land, schools and crops in areas where the water has receded. Vast stretches of the region remain submerged, with people having to swim to safety or use boats to travel. Those who brave the muddy water in their search for dry land are vulnerable to snake bites. The main concern of health workers is to battle the next wave - of water-borne diseases and death in makeshift relief camps. They also have to ensure that millions of homeless people get food, medicine, clothes, and plastic sheets to protect themselves from rain. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, estimated nearly 30 million people were affected by floods in Assam and Bihar alone. UNICEF is providing relief supplies, including bleaching tablets and water purification tablets, as protection against water-borne diseases, oral rehydration salts to treat diarrhoea, high-protein energy biscuits for children, sanitary facilities and waterproof tarpaulins. --SP 1404 Local Time 1104 GMT
