Assam flood: Death toll rises to 87; over 11.45 lakh people impacted
Guwahati, Aug 4
The overall flood situation in Assam continued to improve on Tuesday even as the cumulative death toll from this year's deluge rose to 87, with rehabilitation efforts gathering pace across the affected districts, officials said.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), floods have affected 11,45,109 people across 25 districts between April 29 and August 3.
A total of 77 revenue circles and 2,281 villages have been impacted by the floods during the period. The disaster has claimed 87 lives so far, with Sivasagar reporting the highest number of fatalities at 47, followed by Charaideo (21), Jorhat (9), Dhemaji (3), Golaghat (3), Karbi Anglong (2), Sonitpur (1) and Kamrup (1).
Four persons remain missing, including three in Sivasagar and one in Dhemaji.
The ASDMA said 224 relief camps are currently sheltering 73,074 displaced people, while 1,844 relief distribution centres are providing assistance in the affected areas.
Authorities have also evacuated 29,985 people to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
The floods have caused extensive damage to residential properties, with 3,771 houses completely destroyed and another 12,987 partially damaged across the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the relief operations remain underway while the focus has gradually shifted towards rehabilitation in the flood-hit districts.
"Relief efforts continue while rehabilitation gathers pace across the affected districts. We are fully committed to helping every family recover," the Chief Minister said in a post on X.
The state government has been undertaking relief distribution, restoration of damaged infrastructure and assessment of losses in coordination with district administrations.
Officials said efforts are also underway to facilitate the return of displaced families as floodwaters continue to recede in most parts of the state.
The authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, as intermittent rainfall in upstream catchments could still influence river levels in some locations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Sivasagar alone has 47 deaths?! That's more than half the total. The government needs to explain what went wrong there. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones. Also, 11.45 lakh people affected is like a small city completely wiped out. We need better early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
Seeing the reports from Assam is devastating. Having visited the Northeast last year, I know how beautiful and vulnerable this region is. 3,771 houses completely destroyed - that's not just infrastructure, those are people's homes, their memories, their entire lives. Hoping the international community steps up with aid and long-term climate adaptation support.
The CM says rehabilitation is gathering pace, but honestly, the ground reality often tells a different story. I've seen flood victims in relief camps living in extreme hardship. Rehabilitation doesn't just mean giving relief materials - it means rebuilding livelihoods, providing education continuity, and ensuring they don't face this again next year. Let's be honest about that.
My cousin works in one of the relief camps in Jorhat and says the situation is improving slowly. But these floods also affect the farmers badly - their crops are gone, and that impacts food security for the whole region. We need to think about climate-resilient farming in Assam. Not just buildings and embankments, but the entire ecosystem needs to adapt.
Floods in the Brahmaputra valley are a yearly occurrence but the intensity is worsening due to climate change. This isn't just an Assam problem - it's a national and global issue. Appreciate the rescue efforts,
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.