GUWAHATI, July 27: Indian army soldiers and civil rescue teams remain on standby in north-eastern Assam state as flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains displaced 600,000 people, officials said on Friday.

“The overall flood situation is grim with all the rivers and their tributaries in spate,” Bhumidhar Barman, Assam's revenue, relief and rehabilitation minister said.

“We have asked the army and other security and civil agencies to be on standby.” A government statement said 600,000 people were hit by the floods in 12 of Assam's 27 districts in the past week.

The district worst hit by floods was eastern Dhemaji where authorities Friday evacuated nearly 30,000 people and warned others to leave their homes as the regional weather office predicted more downpours in the next 24 hours.

Food, water and medicines were being distributed to the affected people, Dhemaji district magistrate D.N. Mishra said by telephone.

Assam water resources minister Bharat Narah said all preventive measures, including the strengthening of dykes and embankments, were being taken.—AFP