Assam Floods: 82 Dead, 1.78 Lakh Affected; Centre Sanctions Rs 379 Cr Relief

Assam continued to grapple with the aftermath of devastating floods on Sunday, with the death toll remaining at 82 and nearly 1.78 lakh people still affected across seven districts. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation has improved slightly, with the number of affected people declining from over 1.92 lakh to 1.78 lakh. However, 349 villages across Golaghat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Bajali, Dhemaji and Sonitpur districts remain affected.

Charaideo is the worst-hit district, with more than 75,000 people affected, followed by over 58,000 in Sivasagar. Nearly 15,060 hectares of crop area remain submerged, while thousands of livestock have been affected or washed away. A total of 44 relief camps are currently sheltering around 15,000 displaced people, while another 17 relief distribution centres are providing assistance to more than 5,500 residents.

In a significant development, the Centre has approved Rs 379.35 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Assam’s flood response. The state government has directed district administrations to expedite the identification of affected families so that financial assistance can begin from August 3.

One of the most notable rescue efforts came from the Nepali Khuti area in Sivasagar district, where local villagers used six country-made boats to rescue more than 1,000 people from five villages after floodwaters rose rapidly on July 19. Residents said families were trapped on rooftops, elevated platforms and trees as water levels surged. The volunteer rescuers continued operations through the night despite having little food or water, ferrying stranded villagers to safer areas.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma began a tour of the worst-hit districts on Sunday to oversee relief operations and prepare for a comprehensive damage assessment exercise scheduled to begin on August 9. The government has also directed officials to ensure uninterrupted distribution of relief kits, assess damage to educational institutions before schools reopen on August 10, and prepare restoration plans for damaged Namghars (Vaishnavite prayer centres).

During his visit to erosion-hit areas of Dibrugarh district, including Chabua, Balijan, Pukhurijan, Dinjan and Rahmoria, Sarma announced that the state government will engage experts from IIT-Guwahati to develop a long-term solution to the Brahmaputra river’s erosion problem. Calling riverbank erosion one of Assam’s biggest geographical challenges, the chief minister said the state loses valuable land every year and that modern technology would be used to strengthen vulnerable riverbanks. The proposed IIT initiative will complement the government’s planned Rs 90 crore erosion mitigation project.

Agriculture minister Pijush Hazarika visited Charaideo district on Sunday to review post-flood rehabilitation measures and launched community paddy nurseries and seedling distribution programmes for flood-affected farmers. The government said quality seedlings and other assistance would be provided to ensure cultivation resumes without delay during the current agricultural season.

Support for flood-hit communities has continued to grow across Assam. Actor Randeep Hooda joined a relief drive, and various non-governmental organisations, celebrities and political organisations have contributed aid. The administration has urged people to cooperate with relief efforts and follow safety guidelines as the flood situation evolves.