Fourteen flood-related deaths within 24 hours have pushed Assam’s toll to 61 as rising rivers continue to inundate villages, farmland and residential areas across the state.
More than 7.05 lakh people are affected in 12 districts, according to the latest Assam State Disaster Management Authority report. Over 3.15 lakh people are staying in relief camps or receiving assistance through distribution centres.
The Centre will send a multidisciplinary team to assess the damage and determine further financial assistance for relief, rehabilitation and restoration work.
Seven deaths in Charaideo, six in Sivasagar
Of the 14 latest deaths, seven were recorded in Charaideo district and six in Sivasagar. One person died in Jorhat.
The victims included 11 men and three women, according to the ASDMA bulletin. One person remains missing in Sivasagar.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had warned during a visit to a relief camp in Dergaon on Thursday that the toll could increase. He described the situation as “serious”.
Sarma attributed flooding in several districts to a cloudburst in neighbouring Nagaland.
Water levels in the Brahmaputra and several tributaries continued to rise at multiple locations following incessant rainfall.
Sivasagar worst hit as Assam floods affect 7.05 lakh
Sivasagar remains the worst-affected district, with 3,48,555 people hit by the floods.
Charaideo has reported 1,88,404 affected residents, followed by Jorhat with 1,26,793.
The other affected districts are Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Hojai, Nagaon, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Sonitpur, Kamrup Metropolitan and Karbi Anglong.
Floodwaters have entered 856 villages spread across 37 revenue circles.
The administration has opened 363 relief camps and distribution centres across the affected districts.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and local administration evacuated nearly 1,000 people from marooned areas on Friday.
Over 56,600 hectares of crops remain submerged
The floods have submerged more than 56,600 hectares of agricultural land, causing extensive damage to the rural economy.
Livestock losses have also mounted. The ASDMA recorded 17,107 livestock and poultry washed away during the latest 24-hour reporting period.
More than 3.34 lakh animals and poultry remain affected by the floodwaters.
Central team to assess Assam flood damage
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Centre had assured the Assam government of all possible assistance.
“The Centre and the Assam government stand firmly with every citizen affected by the floods. We pray for those who lost their lives, and rescue agencies are continuing efforts to trace those who are still missing,” Sonowal said.
He said the Assam flood situation was reviewed at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The Centre has remained in contact with the state government and has assured Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of assistance with rescue, relief and rehabilitation, Sonowal said.
Officials from multiple Central ministries will visit the affected areas and hold discussions with the Assam government before submitting their assessment.
“Based on the team’s assessment, the Union government will extend special financial assistance to Assam for relief, rehabilitation and restoration work,” Sonowal said.
He said ministers, MPs, legislators, panchayat representatives and district administrations were coordinating relief operations.
Sonowal also appealed to voluntary organisations, social groups and citizens to support families affected by the disaster.
“This is a time for compassion, collective responsibility and solidarity. Together, we can overcome this disaster, and the Central government will continue to extend every possible support for relief, rehabilitation and recovery in Assam,” he said.