Manipur and Mizoram are sending relief to flood-hit Assam to help the state cope with the unprecedented flood situation.

Though the overall flood situation in Assam has improved a “little bit” in the past couple of days, a mapping exercise carried out by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) monitoring and survey system showed several areas of Silchar town in Cachar district, the biggest town in south Assam, are still under water on Tuesday.

The UAV survey system is being used to prepare a flood map of Silchar town to identify the extent of damage in different areas and help take measures to mitigate it.

A senior police officer on Tuesday said 30 per cent of Silchar was still under water, nine days after heavy rain and an overflowing Barak river flooded the town, which is an important link to neighbouring Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura.

Overall 24.9 lakh people in 28 of the 35 districts in Assam remain affected. Five people died on Tuesday, taking the overall toll to 139 since April 6. Nagaon and Barpeta districts are among the worst-hit districts.

Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Monday flagged off three trucks carrying relief along with 40 personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from Imphal to help in rescue and relief operations. He stressed the importance of extending assistance to Assam, as a friend, during their time of hardship.

Mentioning that many Assam Manipuris are also facing shortage of food and drinking water due to flood, Singh said a non-government team comprising volunteers from Meitei Leepun and Chief Minister’s Martial Arts group would also be sent to areas of Silchar, Hojai and Lumding, which were largely inhabited by Manipuris, to provide support and relief assistance.

Mizoram, too, has been despatching relief since Sunday.

Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga tweeted: “The Central Young Mizo Association are on their way to deliver drinking water to our neighbouring #AssamFloods2022 victims. The Govt of Mizoram will ensure all possible help from our end. Mizoram will always be with #Assam in this trying time.”

A government official said the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod, the largest Christian denomination in Mizoram, has decided to provide Rs 8,00,000 as flood assistance to the Cachar DC on June 29.

“At least four truckload of bottled water was sent by CYMA on June 26. Bottled water was also sent on Tuessday. Some people are making individual efforts to raise funds for the flood victims,” he said.

The Mizoram Police tweeted: “A friend in need is a friend indeed. The bonhomie and mutual respect are keys to strong and everlasting relationship. We welcome the noble and humanitarian gesture of State Government and Civil Society for flood affected neighbours.”

The Cachar district administration has launched sanitation drive in schools and colleges housing relief camps under Silchar town to prevent the spread of the disease.

“The DDMA, Unicef and Oxfam have innovated boat-mounted water-treatment units to provide water to the people in need within Silchar and its peripheral areas,” an official said, adding counselling of women and kids to stay strong has also started.

Raju Paul, an affected from Bilpar area of Silchar, complained of foul smell from receding water. “There is waist-deep water outside my house and the water is very foul-smelling. It needs to be tackled soon,” he said.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday directed the district administration to hold medical camps in the affected areas.