Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises to 95, Over 1.6 Lakh Affected Across 14 Districts
The flood situation in Assam continues to remain critical, with the death toll rising to 95 after six more fatalities were reported on Wednesday. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), two deaths each occurred in Sivasagar and Biswanath districts, and one each in Golaghat and Morigaon. The latest figures bring the total number of affected people to over 1.6 lakh across 14 districts.
Sivasagar remains the worst-affected district, accounting for 50 of the 95 deaths so far. Neighbouring Charaideo has recorded 21 fatalities, followed by Jorhat (9), Golaghat (5), Dhemaji (3), Karbi Anglong (2) and Biswanath (2). One death each has also been reported from Sonitpur, Kamrup Metropolitan and Morigaon.
The floods have affected more than 1,60,600 people in Biswanath, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts. Sivasagar alone has around 57,000 affected residents, followed by Golaghat (34,000) and Jorhat (25,000). The number of affected people has risen sharply from 1.22 lakh in five districts reported on Tuesday.
Authorities have set up more than 100 relief camps and relief distribution centres across six districts, where 44,523 people are currently taking shelter. Floodwaters have submerged 16,951.76 hectares of cropland, while embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure have suffered extensive damage in several parts of the state.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, who was deputed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited the flood-hit Nepalikhuti area along the Assam-Nagaland border in Sivasagar district on Wednesday, one of the regions worst affected by the latest wave of floods that began on July 19. Later in the day, Nadda chaired a high-level review meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior state officials to assess the flood situation and review ongoing relief, rehabilitation and healthcare measures.
Speaking to reporters after interacting with flood-affected families, Nadda said, "I have visited the flood-hit Nepalikhuti area. Along with CM Sarma, I have witnessed the scale of devastation. The damage is so huge that it will take time for normalcy to return." He assured that the central and state governments have stood with complete sensitivity and promptness beside every flood-affected family. "We are continuing the relief and rehabilitation efforts with full commitment. There will be no lapses of any kind in the relief and rescue operations. Teams of Central Government representatives are conducting extensive assessments of the flood damages, and all kinds of financial assistance are being extended," he added.
Nadda is scheduled to visit Yazali in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday to inspect areas affected by flash floods and interact with affected residents. During the visit, he will chair a review meeting with state government officials to assess the health situation and review ongoing relief efforts. The visit is part of his three-day tour of the Northeast from August 4 to 6.
Officials said that the flood situation is being monitored closely, and necessary resources have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. The Assam government has urged people in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations and cooperate with authorities. The floods have once again highlighted the region's vulnerability to annual monsoon deluges, which have become more intense in recent years due to climate change and infrastructural challenges.
