Guwahati, July 22: Assam continues to battle one of its worst flood crises in recent years, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating that more than 800,000 people have been affected as floodwaters continue to inundate vast parts of the state. The Chief Minister has assured that the government is making every effort to reach every affected resident with relief and essential services.
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| Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visits flood-affected areas during an inspection and rescue operation, reviewing the situation on the ground and interacting with officials as relief efforts continue across the state. (Image: X/CMOfficeAssam) |
According to the latest flood update released by the state government, 25 districts have been impacted by the floods, affecting 74 revenue circles and nearly 1,700 villages. A total of 727,506 people remain affected, while 95 relief camps are currently sheltering 18,574 displaced persons. Authorities have also established 469 relief distribution centres across the state.
The floods have claimed 31 lives, with the highest number of fatalities reported from Sivasagar (14), followed by Charaideo (6), Jorhat (5), Dhemaji (2), Golaghat (2), Sonitpur (1) and Karbi Anglong (1). One person died due to urban flooding in Kamrup Metropolitan district, while three people remain missing from Dhemaji, Charaideo and Karbi Anglong.
Property damage has also been significant, with 401 houses fully destroyed, 1,848 partially damaged, and 185 animals reported dead or washed away.
After surveying flood-hit areas in Nazira, Chief Minister Sarma described the devastation as unprecedented and said the destruction was unlike anything witnessed in the region for more than a generation. He attributed the severity of the flooding to a massive cloudburst upstream, which caused rivers to swell rapidly and inundate large areas.
"The scale of devastation caused by the Assam floods has been unprecedented. Large areas remain under water, and we are reaching out to all those affected to help them tide over this crisis," the Chief Minister said.
He added that several localities in Sivasagar district remain inaccessible even by boats. To overcome the challenge, the state government has begun deploying drones to deliver essential supplies, including food and drinking water, to marooned residents, ensuring that no one is left without basic necessities.
The Chief Minister also visited relief camps in Charaideo, where he reviewed relief arrangements and interacted with displaced families. He said medical teams and all essential services have been deployed at the camps and assured residents that the government would continue supporting them through relief, rehabilitation and recovery.
During interactions with camp inmates, Sarma announced that seriously ill and immobile individuals would be shifted to hospitals for treatment. He also assured flood victims that government departments would help replace important documents lost during the disaster.
Meanwhile, relief efforts are continuing across affected districts. In Jorhat, the district administration distributed safe drinking water and biscuits to flood-affected residents in the Namchechang–Namgharia area as part of ongoing emergency assistance programmes. Officials said relief teams remain active in delivering essential supplies and monitoring the situation.
The Chief Minister said the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed, as several affected areas remain inaccessible. Looking ahead, he announced that the Assam Government would work closely with the Nagaland Government to strengthen early warning systems and flood mitigation measures, particularly since the current floods were triggered by an upstream cloudburst.
With water levels still high in many districts, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations continue on a war footing as authorities strive to ensure the safety and well-being of affected communities across Assam.
