The flood situation in Assam remains grim, with lakhs across several districts of the state impacted by the widespread destruction. The waters have inundated over 600 villages, infrastructure has been damaged, the death toll currently stands at 68.
However, officials on Tuesday said that Assam’s flood situation improved with the number of affected people decreasing to 4.45 lakh and water levels receding in several districts, reported news agency PTI.
As per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 4,45,495 people have been impacted in Sivasagar, Golaghat, Charaideo, Jorhat, Nagaon and Kamrup (Metropolitan). The number was over 5 lakh across five districts of the state till Sunday.
Assam’s flood-affected districts and sectors
The flood-affected districts of Assam include: Sivasagar, Golaghat, Charaideo, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Kamrup (Metropolitan).
According to the ASDMA data as of 8 pm on Monday, a total of 631 villages across 21 revenue circles remained underwater, reported ANI. Furthermore, Charaideo remains the worst-affected district with a population of 1.88 lakh hit by the floods, followed by Sivasagar with 1.44 lakh affected residents.
Agriculture and livestock:
More than 37,139 hectares of cropland remained submerged. Reportedly, over 2.56 lakh animals are affected, with over 26,000 animals washed away.
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure damage has been reported across the state, with several road stretches in Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo overtopped or eroded by floodwaters.
Housing:
171 houses have been fully damaged, while 4,667 houses have sustained partial damage.
Education:
Educational institutions have also been affected, with several primary schools in Sivasagar and Jorhat reporting submergence or structural damage, the report added.
Water levels in rivers:
The Dhansiri (South) at Numaligarh continued to flow above the danger mark, though no rivers have breached their Highest Flood Level (HFL) yet.
Sivasagar floods – What are people saying
The flood situation in Sivasagar district continued to worsen as floodwaters entered houses and submerged roads in Naujan village.
Assam State President of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Ahmed Ayubi, who visited the affected areas, told news agency ANI, “The situation is very terrible. In Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, the condition is extremely bad.”
“Our party workers are working everywhere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, and the Chief Minister is also overseeing it,” the leader added.
A local resident, Mitali Gogoi, said floodwaters entered her house and added that they do not have proper food or drinking water.
“The floodwater inundated our house within hours last night. We didn’t even get time to move our belongings. We don’t have proper food or drinking water. We collect water from flooded roads in bottles because there is no other option. There is no place to sleep. The flood has made our lives miserable,” she said, as per ANI.
Govt action, relief, and rescue
The state administration has opened 184 relief camps and distribution centres. Rescue operations are also underway, with the SDRF, NDRF, and local administration deploying several boats to evacuate stranded citizens.
Essential supplies:
The state government is also monitoring the situation, with relief materials including rice, dal, and salt being distributed to the affected people in the high-impact zones of Sivasagar and Golaghat.
Power restoration:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa, in a post on X, on Sunday, had informed that power restoration work was on in a phased manner.
“As Assam steadily recovers from the floods, power restoration efforts continue across affected districts,” Sarma said in the post.
He added that following the precautionary suspension of electricity supply during the floods, Power Department teams have been carrying out comprehensive safety inspections while restoring power in a phased manner across Sivasagar, Jorhat, Charaideo, Dhubri, Bongaigaon and other affected areas.
“We remain committed to restoring essential services at the earliest and ensuring every affected community returns to normalcy,” he added.
Congress on Assam floods
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday expressed his condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in the floods.
“Deeply distressed by the devastating floods in Assam, which have claimed at least 68 precious lives and caused immense suffering and destruction across the State. Almost 10 lakh people across 25 districts were affected,” he said in a post on X.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, crops and livestock,” the senior Congress leader added.
“The Union and State Governments must mobilise every available resource for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. Substantial assistance from the PM-CARES Fund must be released immediately for the flood-affected families. Adequate compensation must be provided for every life, home and livelihood lost,” he demanded.
At the same time, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday called for establishing a robust system to deal with floods.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “The news of the loss of lives in the devastating floods in Assam is deeply saddening. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. My deepest sympathies are with the lakhs of people affected by this disaster. It is expected that the state and central governments will spare no effort in providing relief and rescue to the affected people.”
“Every year, floods strike, causing immense loss of life and property, and many families are left devastated. Now is the time for us to establish a robust and sustainable system to deal with floods. Such a system that scientifically prioritises prevention, early warning systems, strong infrastructure, and rehabilitation-so that people do not have to face such tragedies every year,” he added.