GFA churches badly hit by Assam flooding

Several dozen churches of a leading missionary organisation have been affected by the severe ongoing floods and landslides in Assam.

About 58 Gospel for Asia churches have been reportedly hit by the flooding, which as of July 1, has killed at least 77 and rendered five lakh homeless.

"The Gospel for Asia-supported pastors, missionaries, Bible women, and believers and their families in these areas are in desperate conditions. They still do not even have water to drink or food. Their belongings are scattered everywhere in the flood," a GFA release said.

Besides GFA churches, about six Bridge of Hope centers have also been damaged. Bridge of Hope is Gospel for Asia's children's outreach program.

On Tuesday, GFA's field correspondent watched as one GFA Bridge of Hope center, where 112 children attended, became completely submerged.

"Now only the roof of the building is visible," he reported.

A GFA supported-film ministry team was able to communicate that they are stuck in the flooded area and not able to come out. They said that they are doing their best to keep the equipment safe in elevated places in believers' houses.

Although most of the roads are covered by water and communication is totally cut off to many areas, GFA said its relief workers are organizing efforts to distribute food.

"Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Assam," asks Gospel for Asia President KP Yohannan.

He urged prayers so God "will comfort those who lost everything and that those displaced will receive adequate food and drinking water" in the aftermath of the flood.

An official report from Assam said all the 27 districts have been affected by floods while landslides have occurred in three districts.

It said the Brahmaputra and Kapili rivers were flowing above danger level at various places. The government has set up 768 relief camps across the affected districts.

Rescue operations are on in nine districts. Besides, seven teams of army personnel have been deployed in Barpeta, Dhemaji, Dima-Hasao, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia districts.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are slated to visit the state today to take stock of the situation.

The Assam government had announced Rs. 1 lakh each as ex-gratia payment to those families, whose members had died in the floods.